MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jaylen Waddle was one of 20 Miami Dolphins starters who did not play in Friday night’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, so he would almost certainly not have seen the field even if he didn’t get hurt in practice Wednesday.
How long will Waddle be out? And what about Cam Smith, who left Friday’s game and did not return, even to the sideline?
Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel provided updates on both following his team’s 19-3 exhibition loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Miami Dolphins Injury Updates
McDaniel confirmed that Waddle did indeed suffer a midsection injury, which was the working assumption when he left Wednesday’s joint practice against the Falcons holding his right side.
But the Dolphins were surely relieved to hear that one of their most indispensable players won’t be out long — and seems to be on track to play in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“It was a midsection injury,” McDaniel said. “Sometimes you have guys that end up coming up with an injury after, in the middle of camp, after having a tremendous offseason. That kind of what Jaylen has had. From OTAs, the onset, he’s come to work, he’s done some really good things. So you never want to see anyone ever get injured. But he’s banked enough quality reps that I’m really not worried about his participation within the offense.
“So we’re fortunate that it’s not something that will be a long-term deal,” McDaniel added. “But he’s steadily rehabbing and working with the trainers, which fires me up.”
Waddle isn’t the only Dolphins receiver to get dinged this week. He’s one of three. Braylon Sanders suffered a leg injury Tuesday but shouldn’t be out long and could return as soon as next week.
And on Friday, Braxton Berrios left the game after getting crunched on a punt return. He went into the locker room for further evaluation, and while his night was done, he was spotted back on the Dolphins’ bench in the second half.
Cam Smith Injury Update
That’s the good news for Miami. But there’s still uncertainty involving their top draft pick, Cam Smith, who hurt his shoulder in his NFL exhibition debut.
“Get more information tomorrow,” McDaniel said. “It seems like it’s a shoulder injury. To what extent and the length, is kind of unknown right now. He did get dinged a little bit.”
The Dolphins at this point can’t afford to lose Smith or any other corner, particularly with Jalen Ramsey out for months with a knee injury.
Smith has had an excellent rookie camp, and that carried over to the game before his injury.
Smith had four tackles, including one for loss, and broke up a pass Friday night.
Dolphins second-round rookie Cam Smith doing what he does best 👀 pic.twitter.com/9J8eNiVxJ9
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) August 12, 2023