Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses DuBose, Waddle, Chubb, his job status, Hill’s cryptic tweet

Dolphins receiver Grant DuBose, who suffered a head injury during Sunday’s game at the Texans, will fly from Houston to South Florida on Wednesday and continues to recover well, Mike McDaniel said.

DuBose has movement in all extremities and initial tests have revealed positive results, according to the team. He was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday and is likely out for the season.

“We’re all excited to get to see him,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel touched on several percolating issues early in his Wednesday news conference:

▪ Asked what he makes of Tyreek Hill cryptically tweeting: “It’s time for me to go coach,” McDaniel said:

“I’m reading this as if he’s talking about coaching. There’s not a comma. He’s in great spirits in the locker room. You’ll have to ask him what he meant.”

▪ Asked if he is concerned about being at risk of losing his job, or general manager Chris Grier being at risk of losing his job, McDaniel said: “I’m very comfortable with the realities within the profession I’ve chosen. The alternative is to feel entitled. You know what it is when you sign up for it. I’m not worried about it in the slightest.

“If I’m worried about that, I’m not worried about things I have to offer and the players that are playing. The season hasn’t gone the way anyone wanted, but how often do we say that in life in general? My job is not to predict. My job is to adjust. If you are going to fall short in certain ways, you make those reasons for improvement as you move forward.”

There has been no indication that McDaniel’s job is at risk.

▪ He said it’s undetermined if Jaylen Waddle will play on Sunday after sustaining a knee injury against Houston. He will not practice on Wednesday but McDaniel said he’s “hopeful” Waddle will practice this week, but “I don’t really know.”

McDaniel said he’s pessimistic about Dee Eskridge’s availability for Sunday’s game against the visiting 49ers (4:25 p.m., CBS).

The Dolphins could have only three healthy receivers on the 53-man roster on Sunday: Tyreek Hill, Malik Washington and River Cracraft.

McDaniel said former Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, who was added to Miami’s practice squad on Tuesday, “has a lot of value and skill set we like. I like how he plays, as a fearless competitor.”

▪ Asked if Bradley Chubb might not return this season if the Dolphins are eliminated from playoff contention this weekend, McDaniel said: “That’s complicated. The most important thing is allowing guys the opportunity to play football.. and make sure you’re being responsible... I have a hard time telling people a no without a reason. Bradley Chubb is a football player. He wants to play football.”

Outside linebackers Chubb and Cameron Goode must be activated by Christmas to be eligible to play this season. McDaniel said a decision on their status for the 49ers game will be made at the end of the week. Neither has played since sustaining serious knee injuries late last season.

▪ McDaniel said the Dolphins signed long snapper Jake McQuaide to the 53-man roster on Tuesday because Blake Ferguson, who has practiced for the past two weeks, will not be playing again this season. McDaniel said Ferguson will focus on the 2025 season.

Ferguson left the Dolphins for undisclosed personal reasons briefly in October but has been around the team for more than a month, and the Dolphins used one of their eight available return-to-play designations on Ferguson two weeks ago. Why he was designated to return, but not returning to the roster, isn’t clear.

▪ McDaniel said he expects to see Terron Armstead (knee) and Kendall Lamm (back) in practice this week and decisions on their status for Sunday will be made later in the week. Both missed the Texans game.