Dolphins' Mike McDaniel gives latest on if De'Von Achane could face Jets

MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel expressed confidence that rookie running back De’Von Achane might be available for Friday’s game in the Meadowlands against the New York Jets.

Achane came off injured reserve for last weekend’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders but touched the ball only twice before coming out with another injury to the same knee that cost him four games.

McDaniel said before Wednesday’s practice that initial signs were positive, but with a short week to prepare, the Dolphins will be pressed to make decisions quickly.

McDaniel said his concern was, “Are we playing with fire?” by playing Achane.

Gameday updates: Miami Dolphins face NY Jets in Black Friday game

The answer from the medical team?

“That has been communicated to me that we aren’t, so it’s more about his confidence and yes, there’s a chance that he will play for sure. But there’s a chance he won’t, either. And we have one practice opportunity to go full speed. That’s today. So obviously that’d be very important.”

McDaniel predicted Achane will press him to suit up.

“There’ll be a little, I don’t know, posturing on his part, I assume,” McDaniel said. “And I’ll just be deciphering between his level of confidence and my confidence he can play four quarters.”

McDaniel said he’s “very optimistic” that offensive linemen Lester Cotton and Austin Jackson will play against the Jets.

He believes guard Rob Hunt will dress for the game but it’s uncertain if he’ll play.

McDaniel snoozes during ‘Hard Knocks’

McDaniel said he was asleep by 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, so he did not see the debut of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which this season focuses on an all-access account of the Dolphins.

Informed that linebackers coach Anthony Campanile hit a high note on the show with his impassioned pep talk to the team, McDaniel said, “That’s a Jersey thing.”

Can Campanile deliver such speeches every week?

“Man, he’s got stuff in his back pocket,” McDaniel said.

Turning serious, McDaniel added, “You put a guy like Anthony Campanile in front of a room because of his connection to players and because he brings energy and brings passion, and his conviction.”

An interesting exchange on "Hard Knocks" involved dialogue between veteran referee Bill Vinovich and Tyreek Hill. Vinovich was shown telling Hill before the game to make sure he's set after he motions and to avoid flashing the peace sign, which would draw an unsportsmanlike conduct flag.

"That's never happened with the referee before," Hill said. "It was just something that the NFL probably wanted to just get out there on camera. It's crazy. So I just played along. I just played into their little game. Just don't fine me for saying it.

"What's the referee's name? Bill Winovich? (Close, Vinovich.) Like he's the O.G. ref. What you doing that for the cameras for?"

So is the peace sign history?

"Oh, I don't think it's banned," Hill said. "I think it's suspended for the moment."

RIP: The Tua Cornrow Era

Tua Tagovailoa, who went viral when he showed up with cornrows after the bye week, has just as quickly ditched the look -- or at least he did Wednesday, when the braids were gone.

This completes our obligatory Tua Cornrow Report for the day. Stay tuned for further breaking developments.

Player of week Jalen Ramsey opening teammates' eyes

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was named AFC defensive player of the week for his two-interception performance against the Raiders. Both interceptions fell into the high degree-of-difficulty category.

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Ramsey said. "You know, sometimes you see guys get gimmies and things like that and don't get it wrong, those are nice as well. I would like a few of those. But it just feels good seeing some things from practice come to life during the game."

Ramsey has three INTs in three games.

"For some guys, these past three games that I've been able to play is like, their first time being able to see me live in action. You know, I'm a very confident player. I know what I've been able to do. For a long time. I know what I'm capable of. But you know for some of some of my teammates, they ain't got to see this live. Yeah. So I tried to go out there and give them a show, for sure."

It’s Ramsey’s second such honor in the AFC. He also earned the award for his performance on Dec. 24, 2016, vs. Tennessee when he returned an interception for a touchdown for Jacksonville.

Tight end Durham Smythe is the Dolphins' nominee for the NFL's Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Each team nominates one of its players for the award, which recognizes players around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field.

Players will vote on the overall winner, who will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.

Jeff Wilson ‘raring to go' after being healthy scratch

Jeff Wilson was the Dolphins’ second-leading rusher last season with 392 yards. This season, he has just seven carries for 29 yards, largely due to being on injured reserve for the first six games.

But last week against the Raiders, Wilson found himself a healthy scratch.

“It’s been, I don’t want to say, peaches and cream,” Wilson said of his season. “Because obviously I want to play. That’s everybody besides myself. I just want to be a part of it.”

Raheem Mostert, a leader in the running back room, saw a need to chat with Wilson about his situation.

“I told him to keep his head up,,” Mostert said. “Sometimes you get a little foggy in the mind. And I'm not saying he was. I know that if that was me a healthy scratch. I'd be asking myself, ‘What could I have done to get in that position? What can I do better?’ ”

Mostert told Wilson, “Hey, man, I’m going to need you” and received a positive response. “Once I looked in his eyes and I saw the response from him and him shaking his head, I knew that for a fact that no matter what, he's raring to go.”

Wilson seconded that.

“I’ve got a new fire,” Wilson said. “It’s added a new chip on my shoulder, on top of the one I already had. So it’s added fuel to the fire and that’s a good thing.”

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: De'Von Achane injury update: The latest on status for Jets game