Mike McDaniel offers mixed bag of updates on injured Dolphins starters as game vs. Broncos approaches

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided injury updates on pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, offensive tackle Terron Armstead and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle on Friday.

The Dolphins, who are currently 2-0 on the season, have their home opener against the Denver Broncos coming up on Sunday, Sept. 24.

McDaniel revealed that Waddle is still in concussion protocol after he was injured during Sunday Night Football in Week 2 against the New England Patriots.

While Waddle will practice on Friday, the team will not make a determination on his status for Week 3 until he is able to clear protocol.

Waddle had a solid game in Week 2, catching four passes for 86 yards. So far this season, the former first-round pick has caught eight of his 11 targets for 164 yards. He has not scored a touchdown yet this season.

As for Phillips and Armstead, McDaniel is optimistic that both players will be able to suit up in Week 3. That would be a major boost for the Dolphins on both sides of the ball.

Phillips played in Week 1, posting 11 total tackles and 0.5 sacks, but he was inactive for Sunday night’s game against the Patriots.

A former first-round pick as well, Phillips has quickly become one of the team’s best pass rushers. In the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Phillips tallied 15.5 sacks. He also started 15 of his 17 games in the 2022 campaign.

Armstead, the anchor of Miami’s offensive line, has not played yet in the 2023 season. He’s been injury-prone throughout his career, and that hasn’t stopped during his time in Miami.

A four-time Pro Bowler, Armstead appeared in 13 games for the Dolphins in the 2022 season, as he missed multiple games due to injury.

The Dolphins weathered the storm in the first two weeks of this season to win against the Los Angeles Chargers and Patriots without Armstead.

Getting the star tackle back would be huge to deal with Denver’s pass rush that features Randy Gregory.

While the Dolphins are hoping Armstead, Waddle and Phillips can all suit up, it’s a positive sign that at least two of them are trending towards playing.

McDaniel and the team should have more on the statuses of the players as Sunday’s game approaches.