Dolphins’ McDaniel updates status of Tyreek Hill, Austin Jackson, several others injuries

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Saturday that it’s undetermined if receiver Tyreek Hill will play on Monday at the Rams because of a wrist injury that was re-aggravated this week. Hill appeared to sustain the injury during Sunday’s game at Buffalo but played through it.

But the injury has been “heating up” this week, McDaniel said, adding the team wanted to “let it cool down.”

When Hill sustained a foot injury two weeks ago, McDaniel expressed optimism that he would play the following game, and Hill played.

In the case of this injury, McDaniel was more cautious, saying he’s neither optimistic nor pessimistic.

“He’s doing everything possible to play,” McDaniel said. “We will see how he responds. I’m optimistic he will do everything he can. I wouldn’t say I’m optimistic or pessimistic” about whether he will play in Monday’s game.

Receiver Dee Eskridge will miss Monday’s game for personal reasons, McDaniel said.

That means the Dolphins have only three fully healthy receivers on the 53: Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr. and Malik Washington. Hill would be the fourth if his wrist injury allows him to play.

River Cracraft could be activated off injured reserve. Cracraft, who hasn’t played since a preseason shoulder injury, is “ready to play” and “there’s a chance for sure” that he will be activated off injured reserve for Monday’s game, McDaniel said.

Meanwhile, right tackle Austin Jackson will miss Monday’s game with a knee injury. McDaniel said it’s undetermined if he will require surgery, but if he does, it likely would not be season-ending, according to the coach. Jackson played every snap against Buffalo, but the injury surfaced subsequently.

Kendall Lamm will start at right tackle in his absence.

As for the Dolphins’ defensive backfield, McDaniel said he’s optimistic that safety Jevon Holland, cornerback Kader Kohou and cornerback Storm Duck will be able to play on Monday.

McDaniel addressed other issues on Saturday heading into Monday’s game at the Rams (8:15 p.m., ESPN, CBS-4):

▪ McDaniel said he was optimistic that fullback Alec Ingold (calf) and tight end Julian Hill (shoulders) will play Monday: “Both had good weeks; hopeful for the next 72 hours to come off clean.”

▪ McDaniel said long snapper Blake Ferguson will be brought off the non-football injury list at some point in the weeks ahead. He’s eligible to come off injured reserve after the Rams game after missing time for a personal reason. Ferguson has been spotted in the locker room for the past two weeks.

“I love Blake; when he’s ready you will see him,” McDaniel said.

▪ McDaniel said the Dolphins designated rookie safety Patrick McMorris to return because “we thought he did a real good job of learning the responsibilities. Few and far between are rookies that are able to transition super quick. He stood out in that way. That’s both because of his ability and professionalism.”

The Dolphins have 18 more days to remove him from injured reserve. “It might be a hair soon this week” to activate him, McDaniel said.

▪ Cornerback Cam Smith, who had a “minor scare” when he appeared to injure his knee during Thursday’s practice, is good to go for Monday, McDaniel said.

▪ Could rookie left tackle Patrick Paul handle right tackle now if needed? McDaniel said “he’s capable and able to play on the right side as well. You start out at one position for the sake of trying to master the nuances. We’ve had the opportunity to get him comfortable at left. He’s been able to work at right.”

▪ One of the Dolphins’ two permitted practice squad elevations will be used on long snapper Tucker Addington.

The other could be used on a backup offensive tackle or a receiver, depending on Tyreek Hill’s availability and whether Cracraft is activated, which seems likely.

That decision “is challenging because we think a couple of guys can help us at various positions,” McDaniel said.