Deiter in a walking boot. Holland addresses Cristobal, and Dolphins bye week notes
Dolphins center Michael Deiter, who returned to play every offensive snap last Sunday against the Giants after missing nine games with a foot injury, was spotted in a walking boot at Wednesday’s walk-through.
Whether he re-aggravated the left foot injury is unclear, and the Dolphins aren’t obligated to release an injury report until next Wednesday. Reporters were permitted to watch only 10 minutes.
But Deiter was healthy enough to walk around the practice field on Wednesday, while dressed in a shirt and shorts, like his teammates. He indicated no issue when he spoke with reporters on Monday.
Austin Reiter is the only other center on the 53-man roster. But Greg Mancz, who began the season as the backup center, appears ready to return from injured reserve; he has been practicing recently.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins placed running back Patrick Laird on injured reserve with a sprained MCL. He’s out at least three games.
Of the 52 players on the active roster, defensive tackle John Jenkins was the only one not at practice, the Dolphins’ final session before a four-day break on their bye week. A source said Jenkins is fine.
Meanwhile, receiver Will Fuller (finger injury) and running back Malcolm Brown (quadriceps) aren’t yet ready to return from nine and six game absences. They didn’t participate in Wednesday’s walk-through; running back Phillip Lindsay participated after missing the Giants game with an ankle injury.
HOLLAND ON CRISTOBAL
Dolphins rookie safety Jevon Holland, who played for new Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal at Oregon, described him as “a player’s coach. People enjoyed the way he coaches. He’s a fireball of energy whether he’s winning or losing. He will coach us as hard as he can.”
What qualities do players need to play for him?
“Players that have dignity, [are] honest, respect hard workers and they buy in,” he said. “That’s what was reiterated to us, buying into the process and go out and execute. He wants guys who work hard, never be complacent. When I had a leadership role put on my shoulders, he encouraged me to step into that role and also be a guy that older guys can look to, be there early, leave late.”
Former Oregon coach Willie Taggart recruited Holland to Oregon; Holland said Oregon players lobbied Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens to hire Cristobal when the job opened.
Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis, who played at Alabama, said that Cristobal “and [Alabama coach Nick] Saban will be going neck and neck. They’re both great coaches, do recruiting well.”
THIS AND THAT
Without an opponent to prepare for on Sunday, Dolphins coaches talked to players about “big picture [stuff], things we do well and things we can improve on, how teams are covering us on third down, red zone” details, tight end Mike Gesicki said.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Holland spoke of spending time to self-scout.
Holland, who will spend the bye week at Universal Studios in Orlando, said he plans to “go back and watch my tape. Other teams are rewatching tape on me, seeing my mannerisms.”
▪ With Miami at 6-7 after winning five in a row, has Gesicki allowed himself to think about playoff possibilities?
“If you know anything about Brian Flores, I’m not even allowed to think what I’m going to have for dinner yet,” he said.
▪ The Dolphins have risen to ninth in the league in run defense, permitting 103.8 yards per game. After not allowing 20 points in five consecutive games, the Dolphins are also 11th in scoring defense, at 22.2.
Their 2.4 sacks per game are 12th in the league and their 1.5 takeaways per game are 10th.
Overall, they’re 21st in yards allowed per game and 28th in yards per game on offense.
▪ Punter Michael Palardy was named AFC special teams player of the week after producing a career-long 65 yard punt against the Giants. Three of his six punts resulted in the Giants opening drives inside of their 20-yard line.
▪ Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker this week was named the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which recognizes a player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.
He said this honor — not the Pro Bowl — was the award he aspired to win when he grew up.
He said he takes “a lot of pride” in giving back. “Growing up that was instilled in me. It’s a credit to my parents.”
When Baker was drafted in 2018, he established the Expand the Land Foundation to inspire youth and provide mentorship and programming in his hometown of Cleveland. He also launched a Christmas giveaway for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade.
Also, Baker partnered with a minority-owned small business food truck to provide meals to first responders aiding in the recovery efforts following the collapse of the Champlain Towers Condominium in Surfside in June. And Baker helped transport donated items to Haiti after an earthquake in August.
▪ Because of the impending bye, Wednesday’s sessions produced some light moments. Tagovailoa was proud of himself for shooting an 88 in golf recently; he’ll round up teammates to play during the bye weekend.
Dolphins wide receiver Mack Hollins said he’s considering purchasing an alligator and will go looking for one this weekend. He said he can carry an alligator until it gets too big. Hollins owns two snakes that he carries around his neck wandering around his neighborhood.
This story was originally published December 8, 2021 at 5:15 PM.
