Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses Armstead, Achane, message to defense, Aaron Rodgers and more

Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead will begin participating in parts of practice as he works his way back from three injuries, coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday.

McDaniel did not address whether Armstead could potentially play on Sunday at New England (8:20 p.m., NBC). But Armstead is still in the early stages of working his way back; he hasn’t practiced in a month. He was in a red non contact jersey and a compression sleeve on his right leg during Wednesday’s practice.

“We’ll see a little of Armstead today and see how that goes and then assess that,” McDaniel said before Wednesday’s practice. “The foremost priority is guys coming back without having setbacks.”

Armstead missed the Dolphins opener with what the team listed as ankle, knee and back injuries.

Kendall Lamm filled in and played well against the Chargers.

McDaniel said forcing Armstead to play differently to adapt to his injuries wouldn’t be a reasonable expectation.

“A style of play just to get through it is not fair to him or his teammates,” McDaniel said. “If there was a scenario where he was the only human being possible [to play], maybe we would consider that but probably not. You don’t want him to gut through it” and have a setback.

Armstead missed four regular season games last season with four different injuries.

Meanwhile, safety Elijah Campbell - working his way back from a preseason knee injury - is participating in individual drills.

McDaniel addressed other issues:

▪ On third-round rookie running back De’Von Achane being inactive for the Chargers game: “When you have areas of your team that necessitate certain things, you have to go light on positions. That’s why De’Von was inactive.”

Undrafted rookie running back Chris Brooks, who has a larger special teams role than Achane, was active for Sunday’s game. The Dolphins kept seven cornerbacks active and all of them played, but only four of them played on defense.

Of Achane not being on the active roster, McDaniel added: “I’m not expecting that to be the norm. Players decide that, not me.”

Raheem Mostert, Salvon Ahmed and receiver Erik Ezukanma handled the non-quarterback rushing attempts on Sunday.

▪ Asked why linebacker David Long Jr. played sparingly on Sunday (17 snaps), McDaniel cited “the formula for that game.” Andrew Van Ginkel played 51 snaps.

▪ In the wake of the Dolphins defense being torched for 34 points and 234 rushing yards against the Chargers, McDaniel was asked where he wants to see improvement.

“There were a lot of people with right motivations that were trying independently to make plays and not thinking about technique and fundamentals,” McDaniel said.

▪ McDaniel, on Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury: “I was watching the Patriots, but a couple people came in and told me. You don’t want to ever see that. It’s important for all the teams that they’re [at] the best of their abilities for the sake of the game and the product we want to deliver in. But I did check - and someone told me - they won the game [against Buffalo on Monday night]....

“They still have a lot of players. I promise you the Dolphins won’t be the team that overlooks them because of anyone not being there. Granted, it’s one of the greatest players to ever do it. That’s supreme adversity. If I were a betting man, I would say that team would find a way. But we shall see.”

▪ McDaniel, on River Cracraft, who made an opening day 53-man roster for the first time and caught his third NFL touchdown on Sunday: “He was cut seven times before making an active roster. The fortitude to say, ‘You guys were wrong’ and keep coming back. I’ve had lots of people tell me I can’t do a lot of things. You have to be a special individual when you put that much on the table and the moment comes and you’re able to produce. He makes his teammates better around him.”

▪ McDaniel, on the Patriots offense under new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien: “There’s tempo going on, different formations.”

▪ McDaniel, on a Sunday ESPN feature that showed him getting up before 2:30 a.m. to come to work: “Science keeps telling me you do need to sleep. You compensate with earlier nights when you can. I’m super fortunate because my wife and daughter get my back. They reinforce naps.”