Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses injuries, Bills challenge, Hill/Waddle, Tua, more
There’s no more difficult opponent on the Dolphins’ 2022 schedule than the Buffalo Bills, who visit Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday (1 p.m., CBS).
Coach Mike McDaniel discussed the enormity of the challenge on Wednesday:
“That defense, you know what it is. They say we’re going to take our guys, line up, and play the same type of defense against every offensive structure. They’re going to force you into mistakes because they can get home with a four-man rush.”
And quarterback Josh Allen?
“He has steadily become one of the best players in the National Football League. You could argue he’s the best one. I saw his growth at Wyoming. He’s a giant with a giant arm. He had a stigma about accuracy that each year in his college career he drastically improved.”
McDaniel said he admires the work of Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, the former UM star quarterback:
“As a player, I loved him. As a coach, it’s been very impressive to replace the guy he replaced [new Giants coach Brian Daboll]. Offense has had a ton of success. That’s a subconscious burden.
“He’s not just doing what they’ve done, which I respect and takes some guts. He’s locked into what the quarterback likes. There are different concepts week in and week out. I respect his authenticity for what he wants to be.”
The Bills have been the NFL’s most impressive team so far this season, winning 31-10 in their opener at the defending Super Bowl champion Rams and then blasting Tennessee, 41-7, on Monday.
McDaniel addressed other issues during his midday Wednesday press briefing:
▪ He indicated that, for now, the team isn’t signing any of the four veteran tight ends who were summoned for workouts Monday.
“You try to get in front of potential situations,” he said. “We don’t have a situation now. But we were close to having one. You get that done on the front end should we have any more issues at the position.”
Hunter Long, who missed the Baltimore game with an ankle injury, is progressing, McDaniel said.
Cethan Carter, who missed the Baltimore game because he was in concussion protocol, remains in protocol but is showing improvement, McDaniel said.
The Dolphins had only three healthy tight ends available Sunday: Mike Gesicki, Durham Smythe and Tanner Conner.
Carter and Long did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.
▪ On whether his vision for the Tyreek Hill-Jaylen Waddle combo is materializing:
“I haven’t been around two [at that position of that caliber].
“’What if you had two?’ is an exciting thought. I didn’t allow myself to hope they would be that productive in a given game. If you asked them point blank if they were happy with the game, they were happy to make plays but there’s a lot of stuff for them to clean up, especially in the first half.”
▪ McDaniel said of Waddle and Hill erupting Sunday: “I don’t think it has anything to do with me.”
▪ The Bills often have had a large fan presence at Dolphins home games.
As for the large number of fans who will be rooting for the Dolphins on Sunday: “That helps players more than fans can realize, pushes them beyond where they otherwise would go.”
▪ Asked about his fashion statement during games (wearing snazzy sunglasses and a nice watch), he said he wears sunglasses because he had “sun damage in my eye” and wears a watch because “watches are important to tell time.”
He said “I like shoes. On a given day, I might say, ‘Those look nice. I’ll wear those.’ Outside of those, I wanted my retinas protected” and to know what time it is.
▪ He said Tua Tagovailoa winning AFC Player of the Week “is awesome... [one] he tremendously deserves. It’s a team award. He’s done a great job handling all the stuff he can control and all the stuff he can’t. [The players] all have had his back.”
PRACTICE UPDATE
Beyond Carter and Long, also not practicing Wednesday: Xavien Howard, Terron Armstead and Melvin Ingram and linebacker Elandon Roberts.
UPDATE: Howard was out because of a groin injury, Armstead because of his toe injury and Ingram because he was given a veteran’s rest day. Howard’s status for Sunday’s game is unclear.
Receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ribs) wore a red non-contact jersey. His status for Sunday is very much in question.
This story was originally published September 21, 2022 at 12:23 PM.
