The Miami Dolphins’ seemingly unending search for a WR3 could actually soon be ending.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that, after two months on injured reserve with a pretty significant injury, receiver River Cracraft will practice this week. He did so Wednesday on a limited basis, per the team’s first injury report of Week 9.
What Is River Cracraft’s Injury?
Cracraft has missed the first seven games of the NFL season after injuring his shoulder while making a diving touchdown catch during the Dolphins’ second preseason game.
The exact nature of Cracraft’s shoulder injury is unclear.
The Dolphins placed him on injured reserve the following week, an administrative move that ensured he would miss at least the first four games of the 2024 season.
Cracraft’s recovery timeline ended up being a month longer than that.
But finally in Week 9, Cracraft — an eight-year NFL vet who is in his third season with the Dolphins — has recovered to the extent that he is able to practice.
McDaniel shared that news in his Wednesday Week 9 news conference. He also suggested to reporters that DT Zach Sieler (eye) and S Jevon Holland (knee) are unlikely to play Sunday but didn’t rule either out.
Is River Cracraft Playing In Week 9?
Certainly, Cracraft’s marked improvement is great news for a Dolphins team that has lost five of their last six — largely because of the lackluster performance of their offense.
But that does not necessarily mean, however, that Cracraft will play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins will want to see how he responds in practice before making any sort of roster move.
The NFL allows teams a three-week practice window before forcing them to either activate a player designated to return or keep him on IR for the season.
How Might River Cracraft’s Return Impact the Miami Dolphins?
No matter whom the Dolphins have tried behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the depth chart — and seven different receivers have had a chance to win that job — the Dolphins simply cannot get any production from the WR3 spot.
The job was supposed to belong to Odell Beckham Jr., but he has missed the first four games with a lingering knee injury and has zero catches on three targets in his three games since being activated.
“I think you challenge,” McDaniel said of the receiver group Wednesday. “I think you identify ways that contributions can come from and you’re very clear about how the third wide receiver can add value. You let players be players. We always have reason for everything we do, who is on the field and who is not.
“Odell, coming back from the offseason and the procedure and then having one game under his belt with Tua, it was a step in the right direction that doesn’t show up in the box score.”
McDaniel made clear, however, that Cracraft — who has 25 catches for 308 yards in his career — will be allowed to push Beckham for playing time.
“Competition is the supreme form of getting the most out of each individual player,” he added. “I’m excited about the whole room.”