Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided updates on several key players ahead of the team’s game against the Washington Commanders in Week 13.
McDaniel shared that the team has to be “smart” with star safety Jevon Holland, who is dealing with knee injuries.
The Dolphins head coach did not guarantee whether or not Holland would suit up for the team’s Week 13 game.
McDaniel on Jevon Holland’s status: “If he’s not vulnerable to setbacks, he’ll be out there this week. If not, we’ll wait for another week.” https://t.co/znUBfFyzCn
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) December 1, 2023
Holland has appeared in 10 games this season for the Dolphins, making 70 combined tackles, three tackles for loss and one interception. He’s also forced three fumbles. Miami certainly doesn’t want to risk injuring him further with the team on track to make the playoffs.
The Dolphins will get a key piece of their offense back in Week 13, as McDaniel confirmed that rookie running back De’Von Achane will play against the Commanders.
Mike McDaniel says RB De’Von Achane will play Sunday vs the Commanders
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) December 1, 2023
Achane missed the team’s Week 12 game against the New York Jets after he aggravated his knee injury that landed him on injured reserve earlier this season.
In just five games this season, Achane has rushed for 461 yards and five touchdowns. The most impressive part about those numbers is that Achane received just one carry in Week 2 against the New England Patriots (rushing for five yards) and one carry in Week 11 (rushing for one yard). So, he’s totaled 455 rushing yards in his other three games.
Achane has also been a threat as a receiver, reeling in 10 of his 12 targets on the season for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
The offensive line that Achane will be running behind could be a little shaky in Week 13. Robert Hunt, Terron Armstead and Kendall Lamm are all up in the air for this week’s matchup.
McDaniel said he’s unsure whether Rob Hunt, Terron Armstead or Kendall Lamm will play
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) December 1, 2023
The team surely would at least like to have one of those three players active, as Armstead and Hunt have been dealing with injuries throughout this season. Hunt missed two games before returning to play one snap on special teams last week.
Armstead, on the other hand, has been limited to just five games all season.
McDaniel also offered a concerning update on offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn, whose status for the rest of the season seems unclear.
For the 206 of you who have asked if Wynn could return this year, McDaniel said: "Can't say yes. Can't say no. It's not on my radar, not because it's inconceivable, but because I don't want him to instigate a setback. I'm not thinking about; doesn't mean it's not a possibility."
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 1, 2023
At 8-3, the Dolphins are looking to build their lead atop the AFC East by getting another win in Week 13.
