Waller to return to practice. And Dolphins’ McDaniel updates more injury news
Dolphins tight end Darren Waller will return to practice this week, but there remains no timetable for the return of guard James Daniels. Both are dealing with pectoral injuries, but Daniels’ injury was more serious.
Waller has missed the past four games but is now eligible to return; Miami has a 21-day window to activate him.
After coming out of retirement to play for the Dolphins, Waller missed the first three games but then had 10 catches for 117 yards (and four touchdowns) over a four-game stretch before sustaining the pectoral injury.
Daniels has been sidelined since sustaining his injury early in the opener; coach Mike McDaniel said he doesn’t know if he will return this season.
Meanwhile, kicker Jason Sanders “is close” to being able to begin practicing again after a preseason hip injury that has sidelined him all season. But McDaniel said he doesn’t know specifically when Sanders will return.
McDaniel said that the 21-day practice window will open “at some point in the near future” for center Andrew Meyer, who has been out all season with a lower body injury.
McDaniel had no update on guard Liam Eichenberg, who has been out all season with what the coach previously called a “chronic” injury.
Right tackle Austin Jackson, who has been on injured reserve since aggravating a toe injury in the opener, began practicing two weeks ago and potentially could return Sunday against the visiting Saints (1 p.m., Fox 7), though that’s not definite.
McDaniel said Larry Borom has done a “tremendous” job in Jackson’s absence. He indicated that moving Borom to guard is unlikely.
“I’m very excited for the uptick” in Jackson’s workload this week, McDaniel said. “And I feel confident where he will be through the end of the week.”
Brunskill package
McDaniel said the idea of using Daniel Brunskill as a sixth offensive lineman was hatched by three assistant coaches who were trying to come up with solutions to replace then-injured Julian Hill and noticed Brunskill playing tight end-type snaps for the Titans.
“I’m proud of that whole process; there was a [tape] cut-up in my folders from Frank Smith, Bobby Slowik and Butch Barry,” he said of the offensive coordinator, senior passing game coordinator and offensive line coach, respectively.
“They were all in cahoots and watched a cut-up of him doing tight end responsibilities from last season and previous seasons. First thing I did [leading up to the Atlanta game, [when the Brunskill package was unveiled] was watch that Tennessee film. That is [an example of an] appropriately functioning offensive coaching staff machine. He’s one of the players that can say they’ve started at six different positions.”
The Dolphins have had great success using Brunskill alongside five other offensive linemen during the past four games. Miami averaged more than six yards per carry against Washington when Brunskill was in the game.
Hill returned from an ankle injury against Washington, but the Dolphins continued to use the package with Brunskill nevertheless.
This story was originally published November 24, 2025 at 11:13 AM.
