Dolphins’ McDaniel Provides Friday Morning Injury Updates

Following a disappointing 28-6 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided an update on player injuries during a Zoom press conference. This session marked the usual day-after-game media availability required for all NFL coaches. As the Dolphins’ record stands at 2-7, McDaniel reiterated many points he made in a previous conference while sharing new insights on player injuries.

Injury Updates for Dolphins Players

• Ifeatu Melifonwu: The safety is dealing with a toe injury that he suffered early in the loss against Baltimore. His status is currently listed as “week to week.”
• Rasul Douglas: The cornerback left the game in the third quarter due to a toe injury. McDaniel mentioned that more information is needed to assess the severity of the injury. Douglas has been outstanding this season, and losing him before the matchup against Buffalo on November 9 would have significant repercussions.
• James Daniels and Jason Sanders: Both players will return later in the season. McDaniel indicated that neither has encountered setbacks. Daniels has been on injured reserve since a pectoral injury in the season opener, while Sanders has yet to appear this season due to a preseason hip injury.
• Austin Jackson and Andrew Meyer: The duo is also eligible to return from injured reserve at any point. McDaniel expressed more confidence in Jackson’s chances of playing compared to Meyer. On Liam Eichenberg, who is also eligible to return, McDaniel expressed doubt, citing ongoing challenges with a “chronic” injury.
• Chop Robinson: The outside linebacker is currently in concussion protocol.
• Ollie Gordon II: The running back left the game due to an ankle injury but could have returned if necessary.

Trade Deadline Considerations

As the NFL trade deadline approaches, McDaniel acknowledged that conversations around trades are inevitable. He emphasized that, while the team’s current record of 2-7 complicates matters, the focus remains on coaching and maintaining clear communication with players. McDaniel aims to convey that decisions made in the organization are not personal, fostering understanding and support during challenging times.

Communication and Team Messaging

During the press conference, McDaniel was asked about the effectiveness of his messaging to the team. He expressed confidence that players are resonating with his instructions, noting that they often reflect his words back in discussions. However, he acknowledged that in high-pressure situations, some crucial details can be overlooked, which frustrates him, especially concerning veterans.

McDaniel emphasized the importance of addressing procedural penalties and avoidable errors in practice. He remarked, “Beating ourselves is frustrating to the Nth degree.” Ultimately, he reiterated that the overarching priority remains winning games, and he is focused on coaching his team through this tough period.