MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins made as much news Wednesday with who practiced as who didn’t.
Four potential starters returned to the practice field Wednesday after missing at least one game. Whether it was a short-term or multi-game injury, banged-up Dolphins players are making progress.
“We’re starting to get a little healthy,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said prior to practice.
Whether any or (far less likely) all will be available for Miami’s Week 5 game against the New York Giants remains to be seen.
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Miami Dolphins Practice Report
First, the most significant development: cornerback Nik Needham practiced Wednesday for the first time since tearing his Achilles in October 2022.
Dolphins could be close to getting some internal help in the secondary and offensive line pic.twitter.com/Hdu95ZeGl8
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) October 4, 2023
Needham’s return would be well-timed, as the Dolphins have one of the league’s more generous pass defenses.
Needham has spent the last two-plus months on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, which mandates that anyone on it sit out the first four weeks of the regular season before even trying to practice.
But after passing his physical, Needham got the clearance he needed.
The same is true for interior lineman Robert Jones, who was on injured reserve for the season’s first four weeks with a knee injury. But unlike Needham, there doesn’t seem to be a spot in the starting lineup for him.
That’s because Connor Williams is progressing well from the groin strain that kept him out of the loss to the Bills, and because McDaniel is sticking with Liam Eichenberg as Miami’s starting center if Williams cannot go this week. Williams practiced on Wednesday.
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So did Jaelan Phillips, who, like Williams, missed the Bills game (oblique injury). The Dolphins’ defense gave up 48 points last week without Phillips and safety DeShon Elliott, who was also back at practice Wednesday.
Two offensive starters were missing Wednesday: Tackle Terron Armstead, who still could go on IR with a new knee injury, and running back Raheem Mostert (undisclosed).
Dolphins not spotted at practice today: Raheem Mostert, Terron Armstead, Justin Bethel.
Back at practice after missing time: Jaelan Philips, Connor Williams, DeShon Elliott, Nik Needham, Robert Jones.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) October 4, 2023
Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (midsection/finger) has not yet been cleared to practice and remains on injured reserve.
New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins
Giants
Did Not Practice
- OL Shan Lemieux (groin)
- OL John Michael Schmitz (shoulder)
- OL Andrew Thomas (hamstring)
Limited
RB Saquon Barkley (ankle)
TE Daniel Bellinger (knee)
RB Gary Brightwell (ankle)
OL Marcus McKethan (knee)
LB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring)
OL Evan Neal (hand/ankle)
WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee)
Full
None
Dolphins
Did Not Practice
- OT Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee)
- CB Justin Bethel (rest)
- RB Raheem Mostert (rest)
Limited
- WR Braxton Berrios (knee)
- OL Lester Cotton (ankle)
- S DeShon Elliott (groin)
- OL Rob Jones (knee)
- CB Nik Needham (Achilles)
- LB Jaelan Phillips (oblique)
- C Connor Williams (groin)
Full
- RB Salvon Ahmed (groin)
- OL Rob Hunt (knee)