Dolphins: Achane out with calf injury, Waller close to debut

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Dolphins running back De’Von Achane will likely miss practice this week due to a calf injury, according to coach Mike McDaniel. Achane did not participate in the second day of last week’s joint practice with the Lions and also did not play in the preseason game. McDaniel confirmed after Saturday’s game that Achane was dealing with a soft tissue injury in his lower body, specifying on Monday that it was his calf.

“He’s an explosive athlete,” McDaniel commented. “With the calves, you have to be very proactive, especially with explosive players; we don’t want a prolonged and annoying problem. So, we probably won’t see De’Von this week, after a more thorough evaluation over the weekend, but that’s more preventative, as all the coaches in the league have horror stories with calves if you’re too aggressive in the recovery.”

Mike McDaniel

McDaniel has opted for caution this summer with players suffering minor injuries. The Dolphins will host the Jaguars for a joint practice this week before their final preseason game on Saturday. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler also missed Miami’s second joint practice with the Lions, but is expected to return to training this week. This week could mark the debut of tight end Darren Waller, who was placed on the physically unable to perform list before the start of training camp. Waller came out of a one-year retirement when the Giants traded him to Miami in July, and the team has allowed him to recover physically.

“I hope to see him sooner rather than later,” McDaniel said. “I had in mind that it would be this week, but I’m not going to put him on the field just because I said so before. So I’m hopeful, but it’s too early. We’re making sure everything is in order before taking him off the list.”

Mike McDaniel

The Dolphins saw two of their outside linebackers suffer injuries in the last two weeks; Jalean Phillips missed both joint practices last week, while Chop Robinson was taken off the field on Wednesday, although he returned to practice the next day. Miami hosted outside linebacker Matthew Judon on Monday, but McDaniel said his visit was not related to potential long-term injuries to any of the team’s linebackers.