Dolphins’ Armstead doesn’t practice, Tagovailoa limited by ankle. And other notes

Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead did not practice Wednesday as he continues to recover from a pectoral strain.

Armstead did not play in the Dolphins’ road loss to the San Francisco 49ers, though head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that the veteran lineman “was pretty close this past week.”

Armstead was present in his jersey during the open portion of practice, which is being conducted on UCLA’s campus, and worked on the side but did not participate in individual drills.

“He won’t be doing anything [Wednesday],” McDaniel said, “but I know he’s working hard at it and it’s one of those things that I expect him to either be out there on the field or be on the sideline for good reason because he would hurt our long-term goals [by playing injured].”

Without Armstead and Austin Jackson, who on Monday was placed on injured reserve because of an ankle injury, Greg Little and Brandon Shell started at left tackle and right tackle, respectively, against the 49ers. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was pressured on 27.8 percent of his dropbacks, according to TruMedia, his third-highest rate this season. He was also sacked three times.

Tagovailoa was one of seven players limited Wednesday. An ankle injury limited Tagovailoa, who was taken out of the final drive of the 49ers game because of the same injury. McDaniel said he doesn’t anticipate the injury will sideline him for Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“At this point in the season, it’s as good as it’s going to get,” Tagovailoa said after practice.

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (fibula), quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (knee), defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (knee), safety Eric Rowe (back), tight end Durham Smythe (quad/knee) and defensive lineman Justin Zimmer (back) were also limited.

Chargers starting safety Derwin James Jr. (quad), defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day (knee) and offensive tackle Trey Pickens (knee) didn’t practice Wednesday. Cornerback Bryce Callahan (groin), guard Zion Johnson (shoulder), center Corey Linsley (concussion), linebacker Kenneth Murray and wide receiver Mike Williams (ankle) were limited.

Updates on Fisher, Eichenberg

New Dolphins offensive tackle Eric Fisher is with the team as it begins preparation for the Chargers, though McDaniel was noncommittal when asked if Fisher would be ready to make his debut Sunday night.

“I’d be careful to predict anything,” McDaniel said. “On one hand, we haven’t had even one walkthrough and he hasn’t played football in a minute. On the other hand, one of the reasons why we were so fortunate to get him is because we know that clock, he’ll be up to speed fairly fast relative to most players just because of his experience, his intelligence and commitment. So, I just don’t exactly how long that is. We’ll see. We’ve got to get at least one walkthrough in our belt.”

The Dolphins signed Fisher, the 2013 No. 1 overall pick, on Monday. The 10-year veteran has started 128 games but last played for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2021 season.

Meanwhile, left guard Liam Eichenberg was seen at practice, meaning the second-year player has been designated to return from IR. McDaniel said Eichenberg would practice in a limited fashion.

Eichenberg was placed on IR on Nov. 1 after sustaining a knee injury in the team’s Week 8 win over the Detroit Lions. He was sidelined for four games and is eligible to return to practice this week, starting a 21-day window for the Dolphins to add him to the 53-man roster or keep him on IR for the rest of the season. Robert Jones has started the last four games at left guard for Eichenberg.

“Most of the [practice] will be on the side,” McDaniel said, “but he’s done an unbelievable job of getting himself really to where he’s at from the injury. It’s to his credit that that type of injury he’s come back so fast. I’m excited for him because he was playing his best football when he got injured.”

This and that

▪ McDaniel said he doesn’t “foresee seeing” outside linebacker Trey Flowers “any time soon.” Flowers has missed six consecutive games on IR with a foot injury.