Dolphins’ McDaniel not ruling Terron Armstead out ahead of opener vs. Chargers
MIAMI GARDENS — Although Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead has not practiced since injuring his ankle in an Aug. 17 joint practice with the Texans in Houston, coach Mike McDaniel is not ruling him out for Sunday’s opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
McDaniel indicated, if Armstead had his way, he would play Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. kickoff at SoFi Stadium. The four-time Pro Bowl tackle has targeted a Week 1 return since suffering the injury.
“I know his expectation has been, the entire time, to play Week 1. And, if he has the final say, if (general manager) Chris Grier and the boys decide to fire me and make him the head coach today, he’ll definitely be playing,” McDaniel said. “Literally the only reason there’s even a debate is because it’s my job to protect players from themselves.”
While not saying Armstead is practicing Friday, the final day of drills before the team travels, the coach said the touted blocker will be put through a series of tests and drills. He was not seen during the media viewing portion of practice, but McDaniel said he could be brought out for later periods.
“I want to take a look at him (Friday) afternoon and really kind of make a concrete decision for Sunday,” McDaniel said. “By (Friday), we’ll have an answer for Sunday.”
Armstead suffered the ankle injury in the second of two joint sessions with the Texans before the preseason game that Sunday. He was just ramping up his training camp participation, working out in back-to-back practices for the first time after having a knee procedure done in the offseason.
In addition to the ankle and knee ailments, Armstead is also listed as receiving treatment on his back, according to the team’s injury report.
Armstead’s backup at left tackle is Kendall Lamm. McDaniel believes in his ability to fill in stemming from an impression the veteran lineman has made on the organization since he was a late-season addition in 2022.
“Kendall’s a great example of a guy that has found a place on a team, that had been through some trials in his career,” McDaniel said. “Last year, he made an impact so early in the room about how he goes about his business. He uses every slight against him to his advantage, not to his disadvantage.
“My confidence is high.”
McDaniel is also confident in safety Brandon Jones playing in his first game since his torn ACL that cut his 2022 season short.
“He’s done everything he can and more, and I feel good about him playing within the defense,” he said, touting what the safety and training staff have accomplished in the process.
White has Marino moment
Dolphins backup quarterback Mike White, a South Florida native and Dolphins fan growing up, was amazed to learn Hall of Famer Dan Marino, who has a role with the organization still, sits in quarterback meetings.
“Yeah, the first time it happened, I was just dumbfounded,” said White, a University School alum. “I was like, ‘You’re telling me Dan Marino just sits and hangs out with us? And I mean, the first time I was like, ‘Do I call him Dan? Do I call him Mr. Marino? Do I call him Dan Marino?;
“It’s crazy to me that we are now on first-name basis. I’ll just walk by him in the hallway, ‘Hey, what’s up Dan?’ like it’s totally normal. It’s been crazy.”
White won Miami’s backup job over Skylar Thompson in training camp.
“I think it’s just the overall body of work and kind of executing the offense,” said White, who has been in a similar offense with the New York Jets. “This will be my third year going in this system. It’s different here with some of the things we do, but for the most part of the base is still the same. So, I think just being able to execute the offense and spread the ball around was kind of what helped me have success.”
This story will be updated.
