Updates on several key injured Dolphins. And McDaniel discusses Aikman, new QB
The availability of Dolphins running back De’Von Achane and receiver Jaylen Waddle is in question for Sunday’s finale at New England, and another Dolphins offensive weapon — tight end Darren Waller — has been placed on injured reserve, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
Defensively, Minkah Fitzpatrick will miss his third consecutive game with a calf injury when the Dolphins play at the Patriots (4:25 p.m., WSVN Fox 7).
McDaniel also said linebacker Jordyn Brooks — who has been limited with a hamstring injury sustained last Sunday against Tampa Bay — will try to “give it a go” on Sunday. He said linebacker Chop Robinson is progressing through concussion protocol but isn’t sure if he will play Sunday.
Achane hasn’t practiced all week because of a shoulder injury. McDaniel said players who don’t practice on Fridays typically don’t play but said Achane is a special circumstance and did not rule him out for Sunday.
But to protect themselves, the Dolphins added a fourth tailback Friday, poaching Donovan Edwards from Washington’s practice squad.
Edwards entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with the Jets in 2025 and spent the offseason program and training camp with the team before joining the Commanders’ practice squad.
Edwards played four years at Michigan and ran for 2,251 yards (5.3 average) with 19 touchdowns in 50 games and 14 starts. He also added 86 receptions for 797 yards (9.3 avg.) and four touchdowns. He joins Achane, Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II (and fullback Alec Ingold) as running backs on the Dolphins’ roster.
Waddle has been dealing with a rib injury sustained early in last week’s win against Tampa Bay. He went back in the game but has been limited in practice this week.
A groin injury will end Waller’s season. He finished his one season in Miami with 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games and three starts. He played 234 offensive snaps.
Center Aaron Brewer, who missed last week’s game with a neck injury, is on track to play barring a setback, McDaniel said.
McDaniel said the team will not activate kicker Jason Sanders this week and will stick with Riley Patterson for Sunday’s game. Sanders has been sidelined since a hip injury in August. Patterson has connected on 27 of 29 field goals and has “executed in the moment of truth,” McDaniel said.
Patterson will be a free agent this offseason. Sanders is under contract next season, but with no guaranteed money due.
New quarterback feedback
McDaniel praised the skills of quarterback Cam Miller, whom the Dolphins poached off Las Vegas’ practice squad on Thursday. He evaluated Miller before this past April’s draft.
“Enjoyed watching how competitive he played the position and was super tough in the pocket with field vision down the field,” McDaniel said, noting that Miller followed Trey Lance at North Dakota State. “I’m familiar with him and excited he’s a part of our squad.”
Miller, a rookie sixth-round pick out of North Dakota State, did not appear in a game this season.
Miller, 6-1, threw 81 touchdowns and 19 interceptions and completed 69.3% of his passes in four years at North Dakota State (2021 through 2024) while going 45-11. He also ran for 2,277 yards on 4.3 per carry and led his team to two FCS championships.
Aikman addition
▪ McDaniel said Dolphins ownership previously made him aware that Troy Aikman was being hired as a consultant for the team’s general manager search.
Asked his opinion of Aikman’s addition, McDaniel said: “I’m not opposed to more information. Troy Aikman speaks for himself in terms of relationships he has had in the National Football League and knows a lot of things. Information is a positive to me; being able to resource that, I’m excited to that.”
Asked if McDaniel cleared the air with Aikman after Aikman’s criticism of the Dolphins’ pace in the fourth quarter of Miami’s Dec. 15 loss to Pittsburgh, McDaniel said no and added that Aikman’s comments do not “bother me in the least. It would be funny if it did.”
Aikman didn’t like the Dolphins “taking up too much time” on fourth-quarter possessions, and McDaniel said “Neither did I.”
Owner Stephen Ross will determine McDaniel’s future, and Aikman will have no role in the decision, a source said.
This story was originally published January 2, 2026 at 12:04 PM.
