If you were a betting man or woman, the smarter money is on running back De’Von Achane playing for the Miami Dolphins Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts than safety Jevon Holland.
That’s based on remarks by Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel ahead of Miami’s final injury report of the week.
Miami Dolphins Injury Updates Ahead of Colts Game
McDaniel couldn’t say for certainty Friday that Achane would play because he hadn’t yet cleared the concussion protocol.
But that was a mere formality. Achane was set for a final neurological check after Friday’s practice. He practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday, and told reporters locally after Friday’s practice that he’s cleared the protocol.
“Would I say I’m optimistic?” McDaniel said. “Absolutely. [But I] don’t have a crystal ball. Something could happen today, but barring an event that you can’t forecast, I feel pretty good about it.”
As for Holland, who broke a bone in his hand in Week 5 and practiced this week with a soft cast?
“It’s a little tricky because you’re trying to get work without trying to make a vulnerable situation worse,” McDaniel said. “The work has been good all week. I do think he’s day-to-day. That one is a little more up in the air for me.”
The Dolphins later listed Holland as doubtful and seven others as questionable.
McDaniel mentioned in particular concern about Holland’s ability to shed blocks with the injury. Either way, expect a big role for Marcus Maye at the safety position this week. Jordan Poyer is also expected to play after missing time with a shin injury.
Finally, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (bicep) is “day-to-day” and a real question mark for Sunday.
Tua Tagovailoa Update
All signs continue to point to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returning to practice next week after his four-game minimum stint on injured reserve ends. McDaniel, however, again declined to say whether that will absolutely happen.
McDaniel did explain Friday in the most detail yet why the Dolphins decided to put Tagovailoa on IR.
Here’s his full answer:
“When you have a timeline that you do know you have on that week, you have to make a decision, you wait all the time you can, and then that decision is driven by medical experts. And then with conjunction of the whole team and obviously Tua, when medical experts, in a timeline that’s not ideal for anyone, say the best thing with the info they had at the time to do X, I’m happy with X.
“… I don’t ask the doctor for play-calling advice. I’m not going to supercede them. That wouldn’t be very smart. Once that’s determined, when you make the decision that’s based upon the information that’s supported and driven by medical experts, there’s no really second-guessing or evaluation of should we or shouldn’t have. We should have, because of medical expertise.”
Miami Dolphins vs. Indianapolis Colts Injury Report
Dolphins
Out
None
Doubtful
S Jevon Holland (hand)
Questionable
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring/personal)
LS Blake Ferguson (questionable)
OT Austin Jackson (back)
LB David Long Jr. (knee)
LB Emmanuel Ogbah (bicep)
CB Cam Smith (hamstring)
QB Skylar Thompson (ribs)
Colts
Out
CB Chris Lammons (ankle)
RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle)
Doubtful
TBA
Questionable
DE Dayo Odeyingbo (hamstring)
WR Michael Pittman (back)
OT Braden Smith (knee)
WR Josh Downs (toe)
WR Alec Pierce (shoulder)
LB E.J. Speed (knee)
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
