Dolphins receiver River Cracraft, who had emerged as a reliable backup wide receiver for Miami, sustained an upper body injury in a preseason game against Washington. Coach Mike McDaniel announced that Cracraft would be out for a significant amount of time, although the injury is not believed to be season-ending. Cracraft’s injury is a blow to the team, especially with Odell Beckham Jr. on the physically unable to perform list and Jaylen Waddle dealing with an injury.
In the absence of Beckham, Miami is now looking to fill the void behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Players like Braxton Berrios, Erik Ezukanma, and Malik Washington are in line for the third through fifth receiver positions. McDaniel highlighted Ezukanma’s performance, with five catches for 65 yards in the game against Washington. The team may also consider adding another veteran receiver to their roster, with several options available.
Beckham is not expected to practice this week, as he continues his recovery process. McDaniel emphasized that they are focusing on ensuring Beckham is fully healthy before returning to the field. The team is looking to keep Cracraft’s chances of playing this season alive, by delaying a decision on placing him on injured reserve. The new NFL rules allow for players placed on IR during roster cut downs to return as long as they miss at least four games.
McDaniel provided updates on other injured players, including cornerback Cam Smith, running back Chris Brooks, safety Jordan Poyer, and linebacker David Long Jr. The team is dealing with various injuries, prompting the signing of running back Anthony McFarland to provide depth with Jeff Wilson Jr. and Salvon Ahmed sidelined. Additionally, former Colorado State linebacker Dequan Jackson was signed to bolster the defense after spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Regarding the backup quarterback battle between Skylar Thompson and Mike White, McDaniel highlighted their experience and capabilities as quality backups. The coaching staff has been putting both quarterbacks in challenging situations to evaluate their decision-making under pressure. McDaniel is looking for conviction and leadership qualities from the quarterbacks, as they continue to compete for the backup position.
Overall, the Miami Dolphins are navigating through a series of injuries as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season. While dealing with setbacks to key players like River Cracraft and Odell Beckham Jr., the team is focused on finding suitable replacements and building depth across various positions. The coaching staff is closely monitoring the progress of injured players and evaluating their options to ensure the team is prepared for the challenges ahead.
