Dolphins LB Jerome Baker is week to week, won't go on injured reserve
MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker, who injured a knee last weekend in the victory over Washington, is week to week and will not go on injured reserve, coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday.
“I think there was stuff reported about MCL and the good news is the report is true and it will be non-surgical,” McDaniel said.
Baker went on social media and said he’d be back sooner than people think.
“He says his head is high, his spirits up there,” linebacker Bradley Chubb said. “Hopefully we have him back out there pretty soon … and when Bake is back, it's going to be just like he never left.”
McDaniel said guard Rob Hunt aggravated a hamstring injury when the Commanders used “a different blitz” that caused him to open his gait. McDaniel said the team will resume taking a conservative approach with the injury.
Left tackle Terron Armstead injured an ankle in Washington, so the team will monitor him once again this week.
“It frustrates him more than anybody even being on the injury report, battling through the stuff,” McDaniel said. “He took measures to try to get in front of this and it hasn't worked out.”
McDaniel added, “I don't think people give credit where credit's due. It's abnormal to play that position on a shortened work week.”
Safety Jevon Holland missed the Washington game with injuries to both knees.
“I think the time off helped Jevon and we’ll be conservative with him,” McDaniel said, even though he knows “I’ll be hearing from him all week, I’m sure.”
No. 1 seed, bye, would be ‘huge’ for Dolphins
With the Jaguars losing to the Bengals on Monday night, the Dolphins woke up in first place in the AFC. If they can hold onto that spot, they’d earn the only AFC bye for the first round of the playoffs.
The Dolphins have an edge over the Ravens, who also are 9-3, and the third-place Chiefs (8-4) and fourth-place Jaguars (8-4).
“Oh, it will be a huge help for sure,” Chubb said. “So it's definitely something to work towards and it's definitely a goal of ours. But like I was just saying, it's not the end-all, be-all. It's one of those things we're going to continue to fight for.”
McDaniel didn’t have much time to worry about such matters at this relatively early stage.
“Call me when it’s a 13-game season and I’ll be excited to talk about the next game,” he said.
McDaniel added, “The only reason we’re 9-3 is we haven’t penciled in any of the games people have said we should pencil in.”
Alec Ingold nominated for Man of Year Award
Fullback Alec Ingold is the Dolphins’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
The honor recognizes players who excel on the field and demonstrate a passion for creating a lasting positive impact in their communities.
Adopted at birth, Ingold dedicates much of his work to children in the adoption and foster care community. He founded the Ingold Family Foundation in 2022 to connect youth with community leaders.
“Everything you do on and off the field is not for the recognition,” Ingold said. “But then you get recognized for it is kind of a Catch-22 But at the same time I think it's never about the recognition or the award. It's really what you do with it or how you're able to use that for some good in the world.”
Mike McDaniel's Miami view: Seems like healthy year for QBs
This has been a difficult year for starting quarterbacks — just look at how their injuries are affecting the AFC playoff chase — but McDaniel and the Dolphins haven’t had to worry about that. Tua Tagovailoa has started every game.
“You’re so invested in your own situation that to me it seems like the healthiest year for quarterbacks ever,” McDaniel said.
* ESPN Deportes reported that the NFL might have the Dolphins open the 2024 season in Brazil, but no confirmation was issued by the NFL.Monday's gameTitans at Dolphins8:15 p.m., ESPN
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins LB Jerome Baker is week to week, won't go on injured reserve
