Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel gives update on injuries to 3 starters vs. Commanders

A trio of Dolphins’ starters left Sunday’s road game against the Washington Commanders because of injuries.

Inside linebacker Jerome Baker and offensive linemen Terron Armstead and Robert Hunt all sustained injuries that sidelined them for the remainder of the game, a 45-15 win for Miami.

Baker was quickly ruled out after injuring his knee early in the second quarter. Baker sustained the injury while trying to tackle wide receiver Curtis Samuel on a 33-yard completion to the goal line. While trying to track down Samuel, safety Brandon Jones collided with Baker’s knee. After being attended to by trainers, Baker was helped into the locker room.

Coach Mike McDaniel said after the game that the “vibe” is that Baker did not sustain a season-ending injury, “but we need to really evaluate that [in the] next couple days.”

After the game, Baker wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back sooner than you think.”

Baker, who communicates the defense’s play calls on the field, has played in every game this season and has not missed a game in his career. Duke Riley entered the game for Baker alongside David Long Jr.

Armstead sustained his injury on running back Raheem Mostert’s 1-yard touchdown run shortly before halftime. Armstead grabbed his lower right leg after falling to the ground while holding a block. He returned to the sideline and then walked into the locker room with a member of the team’s medical staff before halftime. The Dolphins announced he was questionable to return but he stayed on the sideline in uniform for the rest of the game.

McDaniel said Armstead, who has dealt with multiple lower-extremity injuries this season, was “available” to return.

Kion Smith played the rest of the game in Armstead’s place at left tackle. Kendall Lamm, normally the top backup option, was active but has been dealing with a back injury.

Hunt aggravated a previous hamstring injury late in the third quarter but not to the same severity, McDaniel said. Hunt was starting his first game at right guard since Oct. 29, when he first injured his hamstring against the New England Patriots. Lester Cotton entered the game for Hunt.