Dolphins’ McDaniel updates Tyreek Hill status, two new running backs and new CB
Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, who has been dealing with an oblique injury, remains on track to play in the regular-season opener Sept. 7 at Indianapolis, coach Mike McDaniel indicated Thursday.
Hill’s status for Week 1 “looks great,” McDaniel said.
Hill hasn’t practiced in three weeks, or played in any of the preseason games, because of the injury; the team wants to be cautious so he doesn’t re-aggravate it in practice.
“He will do some stuff today,” McDaniel said. “We are making sure he has no setbacks for next week.”
Meanwhile, McDaniel said safety Ashtyn Davis will return to practice on Thursday after sustaining a leg injury very early in training camp.
Running back update
Running back Jaylen Wright had a “small procedure” and will miss some time, McDaniel said. He said the injury “is not close to season-ending” and said the goal is a “Septemberish” return. (Miami plays four games in September.)
That leaves two available running backs on the 53-man roster: De’Von Achane (has a calf injury, but on track to play in the opener, per general manager Chris Grier) and Ollie Gordon II.
The Dolphins signed two running backs to the practice squad: Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jamycal Hasty, both of whom played for the 49ers when McDaniel was on the staff there. One of them likely will be elevated for the opener.
Wilson played for the Dolphins the past three seasons. “Awesome teammate that rises to the occasion in moments,” McDaniel said of Wilson.
Hasty has averaged 4.0 yards in 121 career carries for the 49ers, Jaguars and Patriots. “Have a ton of familiarity with him as well,” McDaniel said of Hasty, who had 20 carries for 69 yards in 15 appearances for New England last season.
Brents pickup
McDaniel indicated that the Dolphins claimed cornerback Julius Brents off waivers in part because of physical traits. At 6-3, he’s big and physical.
“Love his redirection, love his physicality, love how he competes,” he said. “Thought he was deserving of an active spot.”
Brents, a former second-round pick of the Colts, has missed 23 of a possible 34 NFL regular-season games due to injuries.
Indianapolis drafted Brents 44th overall out of Kansas State — where he was an All-Big 12 selection during his final season (2023). He started eight of nine appearances for the Colts as a rookie, produced 43 tackles and made his only career interception in Week 6 against Jacksonville.
Brents, 25, sustained a torn MCL and meniscus in last year’s season opener and appeared in just two games last season. The Colts waived him earlier this week.
The Dolphins put in claims for two players in the waiver process: Brents and former Ravens cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, who was awarded to Tennessee because the Titans — who had the league’s worst record last season — picked higher in the waiver process.
McDaniel addressed other issues during his Thursday news conference:
▪ Is cornerback Rasul Douglas coming in as a starter? “We are not in the business of handing over possessions, particularly in a competitive environment. Rasul [gives us] another step up in competitiveness in the room. Overall, the Dolphins are better [with him]. We weren’t plugging and playing. We were putting him in the group and see how that shakes out.”
▪ McDaniel said tight end Darren Waller, working his way back after a year in retirement, had “good reps” during his first practice on Wednesday.
What about Waller’s chemistry with Tua Tagovailoa in the passing game? “I’m not too concerned,” McDaniel said. “I feel very comfortable they will be inseparable soon.”
▪ On the return of offensive lineman Kendall Lamm, McDaniel said: “This is a guy his teammates were supremely happy to see come back. It’s nice to have him jump back in the mix. Our team has changed significantly since he was last here.”
▪ McDaniel said a speech by Panthers GM Bill Zito and star Matthew Tkachuk — which touched on the importance of players bonding and establishing chemistry -- was “powerful” when they visited team headquarters this summer.
▪ The Dolphins’ practice squad is now full, at 16 players. It includes running backs Wilson and Hasty; tight ends Greg Dulcich and Hayden Rucci; kicker Riley Patterson; receivers Theo Wease Jr. and AJ Henning; cornerbacks BJ Adams and Cornell Armstrong; safeties Jordan Colbert and John Saunders Jr.; linebackers Derrick McLendon and Quinton Bell; offensive linemen Josh Priebe and Braedan Daniels and defensive lineman Alex Huntley.
The Dolphins opted not to sign several released players to their practice squad, including Andrew Armstrong, Channing Tindall and Grayson Murphy. It’s possible that cornerback Isaiah Johnson could return.
Also, the Dolphins officially placed cornerback Cam Smith on the non-football injury/illness list. After Week 4, Miami can bring back as many as eight players who are on that list or injured reserve; kicker Jason Sanders and center Andrew Meyer will be two of the eight.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 11:14 AM.
