The Miami Dolphins have been crushed by the injury bug early this season. Multiple key contributors have been sidelined or on a reserved list – Injured, Illness, Physically Unable to Perform, etc. – throughout the summer and over the first three weeks of the season. On Monday, head coach Mike McDaniel was asked about several of the players, laying out the expectations for them to return this week to face the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
Tight end Darren Waller, who came out of a one-year retirement to join the Dolphins this summer, has been sidelined by a hip injury. When asked about the plan for Waller this week, McDaniel indicated he will likely be making his debut with the team on Monday. “To practice specifically to play in the next game,” McDaniel explained of his plans for the veteran tight end.
He added, when asked if Waller would be a play count this weekend, “Yes. What that is, it’s probably more situational, but I wouldn’t go to all these lengths, have all this build up and then throw him out there for 60 or something. I kind of have an idea roughly what it is, but we’ll see if that idea plays through the practice week. We’re excited to see him, but it will be on some sort of situational snap count or packaged type thing as opposed to just unleashing him.”
Cornerback Storm Duck, who is dealing with an ankle injury, seems to be headed in the opposite direction from Waller. Asked if Duck is progressing and closing in on a return, McDaniel explained, “I think he’s progressing. I don’t have my hopes up for this next game. It’s a little early. Soon after that I’m hoping, but I can almost rule him out this week just because of the timing.”
Offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg started the year on the physically unable to perform list, ruling him out for at least the first four games of the year. Miami’s game against the Jets would mark the fourth game missed for the veteran, opening the possibility of his return to bolster the line’s depth. McDaniel explained it is unlikely Eichenberg will be removed from the PUP next week – and he might be a minute before he is ready to return.
“I think what he’s dealing with is of the chronic nature, so as of right now that’s going to take more time,” McDaniel stated. “I would say that’s going to take a little more time.”
McDaniel did not provide an update on the status of kicker Jason Sanders, who is on injured reserve but will be eligible to return next week. He did provide an update on practice squad kicker Riley Patterson, who has been elevated to the game day roster each of the first three weeks, but is no longer eligible to be elevated from the practice squad. Asked if he expects the team to sign Patterson to the 53-man active roster, McDaniel simply answered, “I do.”
The Dolphins will host the Jets in the Monday night finale to Week 4.
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