Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses Barrett situation, more. And Tagovailoa, Wynn weigh in

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that the organization hasn’t yet considered whether linebacker Shaq Barrett will be welcomed back after his surprising decision to come out of retirement.

“I’ve got to talk to [general manager] Chris Grier first,” McDaniel said, noting Barrett’s decision this week caught him by surprise and that he hasn’t spoken directly with the veteran pass rusher.

Asked if he and Grier are open to a Barrett return to the team, McDaniel said: “There’s a reason you sign someone. I haven’t had a chance to think about it. I’ll get with Chris and we will work through that. There are a ton of implications that go through that, with team and roster stuff.”

Barrett, who retired four days before the start of training camp in July, is applying for the league for reinstatement (which should be a formality) and is open to playing for the Dolphins, according to a source.

Regarding what happens next, agent Drew Rosenhaus -- who makes regular appearances on WSVN Fox 7 — told the station: “It all depends on the Dolphins and what they want to do… Waiting for them to decide.”

INJURY NEWS

McDaniel said linebacker Tyus Bowser, who is dealing with calf and knee injuries, “really wants to play. We should know more tomorrow” if he will play on Thursday at Green Bay (8:20 p.m., NBC 6).

Bowser played 30 defensive snaps in Sunday’s win against New England.

Cornerback Kendall Fuller (concussion) is not expected to play on Thursday.

Outside linebackers Bradley Chubb and Cam Goode remain on the physically unable to perform list and have not begun practicing. They have had “no setbacks,” McDaniel said.

MAYE EXPLANATION

McDaniel explained the decision to release veteran safety Marcus Maye to create a roster spot for rookie Patrick McMorris, the sixth-round pick from California:

“Tough decision. I have high regard for Marcus; it’s less about him than Pat and the stuff he has to offer. When you are trying to make tough decisions and it involves safety, a lot of times it comes from [that] position group.”

McMorris impressed in preseason before sustaining a calf injury when he took a “misstep” in an August practice with Tampa Bay. He had been on injured reserve since Aug. 27 before being activated Tuesday.

The Dolphins can bring eight players off injured reserve this season, and four of those slots have been filled with Tua Tagovailoa, Cam Smith, River Cracraft and McMorris.

That the Dolphins used one of their four slots on McMorris, instead of giving him the equivalent of a redshirt year, “made me feel happy,” he said.

The Dolphins must decide whether to use two of their four remaining “designated to return” slots on quarterback Tyler Huntley and long snapper Blake Ferguson.

Guard Isaiah Wynn, who came off the physically unable to perform list on Monday, and Chubb and Goode (who are both still on PUP) would not count toward those eight.

Maye had started all 77 games in his NFL career before joining the Dolphins this past offseason. He started only three of 11 appearances this season, and had 30 tackles in 293 defensive snaps. If he clears waivers, he could return as a member of the Dolphins practice squad.

WYNN BACK

Wynn, who hadn’t played since sustaining a quadriceps injury last October against Philadelphia, said he re-signed with Miami in March with the understanding that he likely wouldn’t be ready for the start of the season.

Wynn said there was no setback and he didn’t have an additional injury.

“We were trying to make sure when I returned there were no setbacks,” Wynn said. “We erred on the side of caution with the return. That’s all it was.”

He said “of course it was tough” not to play yet this season “but it was all good. Got a chance to learn the offense a bit better and root on other guys who are playing.”

Offensive line coach Butch Barry has said that Robert Jones will remain the starter at left guard. Wynn started all seven of his Dolphins appearances last season and has started 47 of 50 NFL appearances, mostly for New England.

Asked if Wynn could eventually compete to start, McDaniel said: “One step ahead of the other. It would be silly for me not to take into account there was a calendar year he didn’t play football. You’re trying to put players in position to succeed.

“I love him as a player but am careful not to put him in situations [that would hinder] his success. Rob Jones is really playing at a high level.... [The work between center] Aaron Brewer and [right guard] Liam Eichenberg has been a strength of ours. Only so many spots on the field a guy can play.”

What can Wynn offer?

“At this point, these guys are playing their [butt] off,” he said. “I guess [I can add] energy for sure.”

TAGOVAILOA WEIGHS IN

Tagovailoa addressed several issues during his weekly media session:

▪ With the temperature expected to be in the 20s at kickoff in Green Bay, Tagovailoa was asked if the Dolphins’ new offensive style — more long drives, fewer big plays — is more conducive to playing well offensively in cold weather.

He didn’t answer specifically but said “when we call our shots, we’re looking to take them. If we’re dinking and dunking for three plays and then get a shot, we’re not going to be mad at that. Don’t get antsy. Take what they give you.”

▪ Tagovailoa said “I definitely get a kick out of it” when he executes one of his short no-look passes.

“Always fun when you can manipulate the defense with your eyes because you know where guys will be,” he said.

He said he didn’t draw any no-look pass inspiration from any NBA players or other NFL quarterbacks.

“In my opinion, you either got it or you don’t,” Tagovailoa said.

▪ He relishes the chance to play on Thanksgiving: “Players look at that as a great opportunity. A lot of us grew up watching [Thanksgiving] football. You would see the Packers play, the Lions play, to have that opportunity, I don’t think any of the guys take that for granted.

“It takes me back to growing up in Hawaii. A lot of guys cherish this opportunity.”

▪ Tagovailoa on Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who agreed to a four-year, $220 million extension hours after Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million deal on July 26:

“I got a lot of respect for him. He earned his contract last year. He’s a baller.”

▪ On Packers safety and former Alabama teammate Xavier McKinney, who is tied for the league lead with seven interceptions:

“X knows what he’s going to get out of me and I know exactly what he brings to the table. I’m looking to mitigate that success when we play against them.”