The Miami Dolphins have been crushed by the damage bug early this season. A number of key contributors have been sidelined or on a reserved listing – Injured, Sickness, Bodily Unable to Carry out, and so forth. – all through the summer season and over the primary three weeks of the season. On Monday, head coach Mike McDaniel was requested about a number of of the gamers, laying out the expectations for them to return this week to face the New York Jets on Monday Night time Soccer.
Tight finish Darren Waller, who got here out of a one-year retirement to affix the Dolphins this summer season, has been sidelined by a hip damage. When requested in regards to the plan for Waller this week, McDaniel indicated he’ll doubtless be making his debut with the group on Monday. “To apply particularly to play within the subsequent sport,” McDaniel defined of his plans for the veteran tight finish.
He added, when requested if Waller could be a play rely this weekend, “Sure. What that’s, it’s most likely extra situational, however I wouldn’t go to all these lengths, have all this construct up after which throw him on the market for 60 or one thing. I form of have an thought roughly what it’s, however we’ll see if that concept performs via the apply week. We’re excited to see him, however will probably be on some kind of situational snap rely or packaged kind factor versus simply unleashing him.”
Cornerback Storm Duck, who’s coping with an ankle damage, appears to be headed in the other way from Waller. Requested if Duck is progressing and shutting in on a return, McDaniel defined, “I believe he’s progressing. I don’t have my hopes up for this subsequent sport. It’s a bit early. Quickly after that I’m hoping, however I can nearly rule him out this week simply due to the timing.”
Offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg began the yr on the bodily unable to carry out listing, ruling him out for at the least the primary 4 video games of the yr. Miami’s sport towards the Jets would mark the fourth sport missed for the veteran, opening the potential of his return to bolster the road’s depth. McDaniel defined it’s unlikely Eichenberg shall be faraway from the PUP subsequent week – and he is likely to be a minute earlier than he is able to return.
“I believe what he’s coping with is of the persistent nature, in order of proper now that’s going to take extra time,” McDaniel acknowledged. “I might say that’s going to take a bit extra time.”
McDaniel didn’t present an replace on the standing of kicker Jason Sanders, who’s on injured reserve however shall be eligible to return subsequent week. He did present an replace on apply squad kicker Riley Patterson, who has been elevated to the sport day roster every of the primary three weeks, however is now not eligible to be elevated from the apply squad. Requested if he expects the group to signal Patterson to the 53-man lively roster, McDaniel merely answered, “I do.”
The Dolphins will host the Jets within the Monday evening finale to Week 4.
