The Miami Dolphins and head coach Mike McDaniel had a bunch of injury updates on key players following the team’s Week 2 win over the New England Patriots.
Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who had a solid game in Week 2, catching four passes for 86 yards, is in concussion protocol.
According to McDaniel, Waddle is progressing. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to clear the necessary hurdles to be ready for the team’s Week 3 game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 24.
Mike McDaniel says Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle is in concussion protocol.
He said Waddle “already started progressing” through protocol today
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) September 18, 2023
McDaniel was very clear about how he feels about playing injured players, saying he wants to avoid setbacks, so it’s possible that Waddle will sit if he’s not 100 percent.
That also applies to Terron Armstead and Jaelan Phillips, although McDaniel thinks those two players might be able to play against Denver.
“We want to do anything possible to do anything we can to avoid setbacks,” Mike McDaniel on not playing injured players.
He said his goal is to not be shortsighted, but he’s optimistic Jaelan Phillips and Terron Armstead might play this week vs the Broncos.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) September 18, 2023
Armstead has not played so far this season, which has been a major loss for Miami’s offensive line. Still, the team has found a way to go 2-0 without him.
Injuries have been an issue for the offensive tackle in his career. Armstead has never played a full season without missing a game, and he has appeared in 10 or fewer games in four of the last seven seasons.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Armstead appeared in 13 games for the Dolphins in the 2022 season.
Phillips played in Week 1, posting 11 combined tackles and 0.5 sacks, but he was inactive for Sunday night’s game against the Patriots. He’s certainly one of the team’s better pass rushers, so the Dolphins would love to have him out there.
Miami did get a positive update on backup running back Salvon Ahmed, as he did not tear his groin.
Waddle is in concussion protocol.. Ahmed did not tear groin – "not overly long situation," McDaniel said.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 18, 2023
This is huge for the Dolphins since they already have Jeff Wilson Jr. on injured reserve. The team’s running back room is a little thin behind Raheem Mostert, who had a monster game against the Patriots.
Mostert carried the ball 18 times for 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win in Week 2.
Hopefully, as the week goes on, Miami will continue to get more positive news on the injury front as it prepares for its first home game of the 2023 season.
