Dolphins make two personnel moves on eve of finale. And other news
The Dolphins made their final roster moves of the season on Saturday, elevating linebacker Derrick McLendon and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. from the practice squad.
Wilson’s elevation (his second of the season) is more evidence that De’Von Achane is very unlikely to play because of a shoulder injury. Achane, the NFL’s leader in per carry average (5.7) and the Dolphins’ MVP this season, is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s finale at New England (4:25 p.m., WSVN Fox 7).
If he doesn’t play Sunday, he will end the season with the third-highest rushing total in a season in team history (1350 yards). Achane needs only 23 yards to surpass Ricky Williams’ 2003 rushing total for second on the list. Williams had 1,853 yards rushing in 2002, which is the team record.
McLendon, a training camp standout, was elevated for the second week in a row but is still waiting to make his NFL debut.
He was not active for the Tampa Bay game because Miami needed to keep another offensive linemen active when it was determined last Sunday morning that center Aaron Brewer could not play with a neck injury.
“He’s athletic, he’s got twitch, he’s got speed,” defensive line coach Sean Ryan said of McLendon. “Those are tangible things. Things that stand out to me are his work ethic and his motor. He’s a positive influence on his teammates and coaches. That guy has got a lot of things that really make an intriguing quality prospect.”
Two Dolphins edge rushers are questionable for the game: Chop Robinson (who was in the later stages of concussion protocol on Friday) and Quinton Bell, who is dealing with an illness.
Several other players on offense are questionable for the finale, including receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs), right tackle Austin Jackson (a new groin injury and a back issue) and center Aaron Brewer (neck). Brewer practiced fully on Friday, but Jackson and Waddle were limited. Waddle said he’s unsure if he will be able to play on Sunday.
Defensively, the Dolphins will be without safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who will miss his third game in a row with a calf injury.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks, the NFL’s leading tackle, is questionable with a hamstring injury but will try to play.
Kicker Jason Sanders was not removed from injured reserve on Saturday, meaning Riley Patterson will complete a full season as the Dolphins’ kicker.
This and that
Mike McDaniel’s job security is being portrayed in different ways by different national outlets this weekend. While SI.com’s Albert Breer said his return next season is a “coin toss,” NFL Network said “signs continue to point toward McDaniel returning.”
▪ A reminder heading into the weekend: The Dolphins (7-9), who entered Week 18 standing 11th in draft order, can jump the three 6-10 teams — No. 8 New Orleans, No. 9 Kansas City and No. 10 Cincinnati — if Miami loses at the Patriots and the Saints beat the Falcons, the Chiefs beat the Raiders and the Bengals beat the Browns.
Miami realistically can drop no worse than 13th.
▪ One big concern to emerge this season: Robinson’s regression. He has just 21 tackles and four sacks in 417 defensive snaps, and his 8.8 pass rush win rate is abysmal, 125th among NFL edge players, as Simon Clancy noted.
Pro Football Focus rates him 100 of 113 qualifying edge players. He looks more like a No. 3 outside linebacker than a starter.
▪ After being on the field for every Tampa Bay offensive play last week, Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis has played 76 percent of Miami’s defensive snaps, putting him in position to earn a $500,000 bonus for playing 60 percent of the team’s snaps. Davis said it speaks very well of the organization that Miami played him instead of sitting him.
Davis’ bonus is contingent on Miami finishing in the top 25 in points allowed, he said. The Dolphins entered Week 18 at No. 21.
Some of Bradley Chubb’s bonuses are tied to Miami finishing in the top 20 in points allowed.
This story was originally published January 3, 2026 at 1:47 PM.
