Dolphins’ McDaniel hints at more personnel changes, dishes on some young players
Days after wide receiver Theo Wease was elevated for the first time, coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that others on the practice squad might also get an opportunity to play in Sunday’s game against visiting Tampa Bay (1 p.m., WSVN Fox 7).
Among those under consideration: outside linebacker Derrick McLendon, who was a standout during training camp but hasn’t appeared in a game this season.
“Several guys are up for consideration,” McDaniel said of practice squad players. “Coach [Jon] Embree spoke to the team about taking advantage of every opportunity and how special each practice is. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was another one or two” practice squad players who get a chance to play Sunday.
With regard to McLendon, McDaniel said he likes the young linebacker’s “relentless commitment to the task at hand. He’s always developing his game. He has got a lot more comfortable with his hand in the ground.
“This past offseason you saw productivity, a relentless motor. He doesn’t waste a day on this team. One of the guys we rely upon to bring the juice. He would be in that pocket of consideration” for Sunday.
McDaniel addressed other issues on Wednesday:
▪ What does he want to see from rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers in his second start?
“I want to see growth,” McDaniel said. “That’s the biggest thing. I saw some yesterday how he was quarterbacking the group. He took a step forward with his confidence and disposition, continued progression and his command of the position.”
Asked about his anticipation on throws, McDaniel said he was “pleasantly surprised” in some regards by Ewers. “He was doing a very good job, but you expect kind of a downshift in the game [from practice] and I didn’t see that. One of the more impressive parts of his outing was it was very much like it was on the practice field.”
▪ McDaniel said he would not hesitate to use Andrew Meyer during the final two weeks if there’s an injury to a starter. Meyer remains on injured reserve since an August triceps injury but been practicing for two weeks. He must be activated by Jan. 1 to play this season. [Update: Aaron Brewer is hobbled, and Meyer could play center Sunday.]
Meyer has a “promising” future, McDaniel said. “He put together impressive things. He’s deserving of playing in the NFL and if the opportunity presents itself [because of] injury, I will be confident in his play. The best players will play.”
His “future is strongest at center, but he has versatility to play [all] inside three [positions] for sure but pointing to center.”
McDaniel said Meyer “is an effective blocker. His strength with his skill set and quickness - there’s a center arc. You are the closest to the ball when covered with a nose [tackle]. That quickness he possesses is a skill for centers that you can really take advantage of and you can run and pass, in the most vulnerable gap, which is the A gap.”
▪ McDaniel was pleased that De’Von Achane was named to the Pro Bowl team but wishes that Jordyn Brooks and Aaron Brewer had received invitations as well.
“It’s disappointing they didn’t get what you think they’re deserving of,” he said of Brooks and Brewer. “In the National Football League, you need more [team] success to get glorified.”
▪ Receiver Tahj Washington hasn’t played much since a damaging fumble against Baltimore.
McDaniel essentially said that he is not being punished for the fumble and that he likely would play Sunday or in the finale at New England.
“I don’t really have doghouses,” he said. “There are ebbs and flows early in a young player’s career. My belief has never wavered in him. His opportunity came early in a big time moment. A lot of times a player gets better from that.
“We are going to let you sit and watch for a game or two but you will get your opportunity again and be ready. Tahj has responded very well behind the scenes.”
This story was originally published December 24, 2025 at 10:59 AM.
