Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel met with the South Florida media on Monday morning and addressed various injury questions surrounding his ball club. While Miami got good news regarding right tackle
Austin Jackson — who should be back in the lineup soon — another injured offensive lineman did not get the same vote of confidence regarding his return from injury from his head coach.
When discussing starting right guard James Daniels, McDaniel told reporters that he was not certain, one way or another, whether Daniels would return to game action during the 2025 NFL season.
Daniels — Miami’s big-ticket free agent acquisition this past offseason — suffered a pectoral injury during the Dolphins’ first offensive drive of the season in week one, and hasn’t seen the field since.
Daniels signed a three-year, $24 million deal with Miami ahead of the 2025 season. Some considered the acquisition to be a great deal for Miami, but given Daniels’ injury history, some were worried about former general manager Chris Grier signing yet another “dented can.”
Daniels was placed on injured reserve on October 1st, 2024 while a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a torn Achilles he suffered in week four of that season. He missed the remainder of the year for Pittsburgh.
With Jackson set to return to the starting lineup as soon as this Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, McDaniel said moving Larry Borom — Jackson’s replacement this year — to starting right guard is something the team is considering.
We will continue to keep our readers updated with all things Miami Dolphins as the team heads into the home-stretch of the 2025 season.
