Jaylen Waddle still in protocol, but Dolphins ‘very optimistic' with receiver's progress
MIAMI GARDENS — Receiver Jaylen Waddle remains in concussion protocol but the Dolphins have growing optimism for his availability Sunday when they visit the Buffalo Bills in a key AFC East showdown.
Waddle was questionable for this past Sunday’s 70-20 blowout over the Denver Broncos but was declared out a day beforehand.
“We're very optimistic in how he's feeling but just worried about him getting right and that should take care of itself here soon,” coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.
Linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who missed the New England game with a back injury, left the Broncos game with an oblique problem after playing 29 snaps.
“Jaelan Phillips is more of a day-to-day situation,” McDaniel said. “So he's doing better than yesterday. So hopefully on Wednesday, he'll be doing even better and we'll see how that progresses.”
In the second half, center Connor Williams suffered a groin injury and cornerback Eli Apple was evaluated for a possible concussion. McDaniel said Williams is day to day and Apple is not in concussion protocol.
Receiver River Cracraft, who played 25 snaps, has a shoulder injury and is still being evaluated.
“He is playing at a very high level and there's no doubt that we'll see him again in the near future,” McDaniel said. “How near is that? I don't know yet.”
Miami Dolphins know visit to Buffalo Bills is major opportunity
The Bills are on a two-game winning streak and have won the division three years in a row. The Dolphins haven’t won in Orchard Park since Christmas Eve 2016 and are 1-11 there since 2011. So a road victory would make a statement. The Bills visit Miami Gardens in the regular-season finale.
“Individually from a player-to-player perspective, there's probably some internal grudge matches that go on that are natural in football,” McDaniel said. “But by and large, I've no doubt that our locker room’s going to give them their due respect that they're earning through their play.
“And you always know that to even be in the conversation of having a win in Orchard Park, you have to be hitting on all cylinders. So our guys will be focused on that because the challenge is awesome and most difficult, which is the way we'd want it, I think.”
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Dolphins running backs: The five horsemen?
Rookie De’Von Achane rushed for 203 yards and Raheem Mostert added 82 as the Dolphins amassed a team-record 350 rushing yards against the Broncos. Both running backs scored four touchdowns, raising the question of what happens when Jeff Wilson and Salvon Ahmed return from injuries.
What happens, McDaniel said, is everyone should have a chance to contribute.
“There is really the opportunity to have production at that position from more than one — most of the time, multiple players at that position,” McDaniel said. “I think there is a certain aspect of earning more opportunities. And I think when you play really well, you make it hard not to be able to at least incorporate someone in some sort of way. It's part of our strength, too, is our depth of very, very adept, talented, playmaking running backs.”
In short?
“Just on deck is the fabled five running back personnel package,” McDaniel said. “And you never know what's coming.”
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: Jaylen Waddle still in concussion protocol, but Dolphins ‘very optimistic'
