Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses injuries, Tyreek Hill, Tagovailoa’s struggles, more
The Dolphins expect to be without right guard James Daniels for about a month and are not counting on having right tackle Austin Jackson available for Sunday’s home game against New England (1 p.m., CBS-4).
McDaniel said Jackson hasn’t been ruled out for Sunday, but he is preparing as if Larry Borom will start at right tackle. McDaniel said Jackson’s injured toe is not broken but the team isn’t sure how long he will be out. He did not practice on Wednesday.
Daniels was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury sustained on the third play of Sunday’s loss at Indianapolis. He’s eligible to return after four games, and McDaniel indicated his timetable to return should be in that general range and not much longer.
Kion Smith is the front-runner to start at right guard in Daniels’ absence -- “I thought Kion did a good job Sunday,” McDaniel said --- but newcomer Cole Strange, who started 29 games for New England, will provide competition.
Asked if Strange was signed partly because of his knowledge of the Patriots’ system heading into the game this weekend, McDaniel said no: “I wouldn’t play with a player’s livelihood that way. He’s here because of his own merit. All the way back to when he was coming out of college, he has a lot of skill sets we utilize... as well as [good] tape since he’s been in the NFL.”
McDaniel said he won’t know tight end Darren Waller’s status until later in the week. He did not practice on Wednesday while recovering from a hip injury.
“We have a chance but might get to a point where we recognize the risk is too great for the rest of the season,” McDaniel said. “I wouldn’t say I’m expecting or not expecting [Waller to play Sunday]. I’m open minded to” how the week progresses.
The Dolphins remain without cornerback Storm Duck (hamstring), running back Jaylen Wright (knee), cornerback Ethan Bonner (hamstring) and defensive tackle Benito Jones (oblique). Those four players, Jackson and Waller were the six players on the 53-man roster who were not spotted at practice on Wednesday.
McDaniel addressed other issues:
▪ Regarding domestic violence allegations levied by Tyreek Hill’s estranged wife against Hill (whose attorney has denied it), McDaniel said: “We’ve been in communication with the NFL and will let the process play out.” The NFL says it’s investigating the matter.
Here’s more on that situation.
▪ McDaniel again was asked to reflect on watching tape of the 33-8 loss to Indianapolis.
“It was maddening the things we were doing or not doing,” he said. “It was not an individual or a unit or position group or a particular phase. It was a very consistent theme, which makes you think you have something to directly address moving forward. It doesn’t make it any easier.
“I don’t envy anybody that’s covering [the team] or any fan or anybody that’s [interested in the] Dolphins because that was embarrassing. Players have been very focused on how they’ve conducted themselves. You either learn from it and becomes a reason for success or you fall victim to it for a second game in a row.”
McDaniel said “one positive is we didn’t splinter on the sideline.”
▪ Asked whether he was outwardly angry with his players after the game, McDaniel said foremost he must be a teacher.
“What level of anger does that bring out of me?”... Were you not prepared for an assignment? That would trigger me. That wasn’t a major thing but when it did happen, I was pissed. To me, it was something more than that” as far as what went wrong in the game.
McDaniel said he likes “direct communication. We are trying to work on the things we failed on.”
▪ Asked about Xavien Howard’s comment that Tua Tagovailoa panics when his first read is taken away, McDaniel said: “I saw quarterback play that was less than to be desired [Sunday], which Tua absolutely knows. He’s the franchise quarterback.
“I also know he’s very much like most quarterbacks where you are putting a lot of work into something and your first time doing it for four quarters in months, you are not at your best. I don’t want to make the same mistakes twice. He and everyone else has to get better.”
▪ McDaniel said the plan was to get rookie running back Ollie Gordon II more touches on Sunday, but the way the game played out wasn’t conducive to that. He had two carries for four yards.
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 11:36 AM.
