Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses Phillips surgery, Pierre-Paul, Claypool. And Brooks back
Health remains an issue, as the Dolphins enter December.
Four players missed Wednesday’s practice: left tackle Kendall Lamm, receiver Tyreek Hill, running back Raheem Mostert, safety Jevon Holland.
Left tackle Armstead’s status for Sunday’s game at Washington (1 p.m., Fox) is very much in question because of a quadriceps injury sustained in the Jets game. He was limited Wednesday.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Armstead said, among other things, that “I will put the work in and be better out there for my team this weekend!”
But McDaniel has called Armstead’s status “week to week.”
Lamm is dealing with a back injury, but McDaniel has said he’s optimistic Lamm will be available on Sunday.
If neither Armstead nor Lamm can play, than Kion Smith would be in line to start at left tackle at Washington.
Holland sustained a knee injury against the Jets but said afterward that he’s fine.
Earlier this week, McDaniel was non-committal about whether running back De’Von Achane would be available on Sunday, after missing five of the past six games with knee injuries. Achane practiced Wednesday.
Mostert often sits out Wednesday practice. Hill participated in stretching and was seen running.
Also notable: Running back Chris Brooks, who has been on injured reserve since Oct. 15 with an ankle injury, was designated to return. The Dolphins have 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster.
Brooks is the seventh Dolphins player designated to return off IR this season. NFL teams can bring back no more than eight players off IR in a season. Guard Isaiah Wynn remains on IR with a longterm quadriceps injury.
Meanwhile, linebacker Jaelan Phillips underwent surgery on his Achilles injury and is expected back for next season.
“Surgery was a success,” Phillips posted on the social media platform X, adding that “I’m built for this.”
McDaniel said Phillips Achilles’ surgery was not along the lines of the unique procedure that Aaron Rodgers had, but instead a “more traditional... Achilles procedure. It went well. We’re very happy. It’s not about how quick a recovery can be for him, but more about his explosiveness” and the position he plays.
McDaniel said there’s “no timeline” for a return. But Phillips is assuredly out for the season.
Rodgers, meanwhile, is trying to return after September Achilles surgery. He was designated to return on Wednesday, giving the Jets 21 days to activate him.
The 21st day would be two days after the Jets play at Miami on Dec. 17, but Rodgers would be eligible to play against the Dolphins.
As for the signing of defensive end/outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, who was plucked off the Saints’ practice squad, McDaniel said: “Seeing tape on him last couple years, he’s someone I’m very familiar with. He got his start in the division I was in, [when McDaniel was] with Washington.
“With the New York Giants, he had one of most catastrophic run plays I’ve ever experienced at the point of attack on. Pumped for the team to add a player of his experience and esteem. He’s a force on the edge. I’m pumped for him to get in the mix with the entire team. He will be getting up to speed and studying all day and trying to get comfortable what we’re asking him to do.”
McDaniel addressed other issues during his Wednesday news conference:
▪ What did McDaniel mean when he said, on Hard Knocks, that Raiders Pro Bowl edge player Maxx Crosby “goes all Van Ginkel on you” at times, a reference to Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel?
“You notice a lot of production Van Ginkel has, particularly on the edge and the point of attack. He’s limber in the upper body so he can bend and get lower in the upper pad level.. and run around the corner.... That’s something he’s very adept at. That limber nature at that position, which has to be stout and firm, is a unique trait... There are plays he makes in a similar fashion to how Maxx does.”
▪ McDaniel, asked about receiver Chase Claypool (who has only one reception in three games since his acquisition by Miami and has missed the past two games after a knee procedure), said: “I’m so pumped to have Chase. There are certain games he has been more involved that others.
“I thought he would be a valuable asset to this football team. Nothing has changed with that. He has gone above and beyond to assimilate. There will be roles for him throughout the season.”
▪ McDaniel, on the Dolphins’ low-rated conversion rates on third and fourth and short: “I have to give guys an opportunity on the ground more to make plays.... We’re trying to do stuff that works. You have to work at stuff.
“I’m not going to pretend every decision I make is good. Every single play that didn’t work, I was definitely hoping they worked. You try to learn from it... This narrative isn’t new. You work on stuff; you get better from it. I don’t expect to be the last ranking official at the short yardage conference the rest of my career.”