Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel addresses Matthew Judon tryout, Darren Waller's imminent debut
The Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars will hold a joint practice on August 21 and then play August 23 in the final preseason game.
Dolphins work out edge rusher Matthew Judon
The interest in Judon should not be taken as a concern about the health of edge rushers Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson. Instead, Judon is "visiting for the sake of seeing if there's a situation that both parties would be able to come into an agreement of, 'Hey, this is a situation that fits.' "
Running back situation: McDaniel isn't looking for one particular skill that each back is best at and then typecasting the player, even with Alexander Mattison out. But he says, "Finding yardage for us, in short yardage, is definitely an asset."
More: Miami Dolphins "sidelines have been different" in 2025, Mike McDaniel says
Will we see TE Darren Waller? Waller, expected to start for the Dolphins at tight end, has not yet practiced with the team. Instead he has worked on the side to get in shape.
But that soon will change.
"I'm expecting to see him sooner than later," McDaniel said. "In the back of my mind, it would be this week, but I'm not going to just put them out there this week just because I said it before. So I'm hopeful, but it's very soon."
Zach Sieler back at practice, De'Von Achane has calf injury
McDaniel expects DT Zach Sieler to practice this week.
RB De'Von Achane has a calf injury. McDaniel wants to be cautious with Achane to assure it's not an ongoing problem.
"That's more preventative in nature just because all trainers across the league have horror stories with calves if you're too aggressive coming back."
Making noise: Players were lined up on the sideline to cheer on teammates late in the Lions game, particularly on special teams. "It's about talk versus doing." McDaniel credits it to "enhanced connectivity."
Xavien Howard joins Colts. Why not Dolphins?
Ex-Dolphins CB Xavien Howard is joining the Colts, Miami's opponent in the opener. Did the Dolphins consider Howard? Will they sign a veteran corner? McDaniel said he's "happy for X."
McDaniel added, "There's opportunities every day that you're grading your guys versus whoever is available. That's just the nature of the National Football League."
McDaniel said it's their job to consider all possibilities, including adding a veteran via waiver wire or free agency later this summer: "I wouldn't close the lid on that possibility at all, but I'm not trying to open it."
Later, when asked why coaches seem to be confident in the team's cornerbacks when those on the outside question it, McDaniel referred to Pete Carroll once telling him, "You can't assume that people are the same every year, every offseason. I do think it's the same conversation every year where people are assuming that teams or individual players are the same person that they've known. And when you don't have a long resume of NFL production, you assume that that's because they're not good. And I think that's probably why there's a disconnect, because we're all evaluating people off of days, weeks, a very, very focused, intentional instruction and evaluation from that."
Dolphins secondary still beat up
CB Ethan Bonner has a hamstring injury and will need weeks to recover. With S Dante Trader Jr., coaches planned to use him sparingly vs. the Lions. RT Austin Jackson is expected to play in the opener against Indianapolis.
Hunter has McDaniel's respect: On Jaguars two-way star rookie, Travis Hunter: "I think everyone's intrigued by having one roster spot fill two needs. And yeah, I think he's a great player."
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel explains why Matthew Judon gets tryout
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