The 2024 season hit a rough patch before it even began for the Miami Dolphins. OT Kion Smith’s ACL tear in the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons on August 10th was a cruel blow that sidelined his promising year in an instant. Picture the heartbreak of watching your season ambitions spiral out of control before the whistle even blew. This is what the Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel echoed during the media day.

On Monday, 12th August, McDaniel, trying to keep his game face on, empathized with Smith. “It’s always hard to watch a player come to terms with a season-ending injury. He’s really developed as much as anyone since he’s been here. He’s one of our favorite guys to coach — that was tough,” he said. The injury bug has hit Smith hard. What’s harder was the collision with fellow lineman Ryan Hayes during the preseason game.

Per ESPN’s reporter for the Dolphins, Marcel Louis-Jacques, Kion Smith’s collision came in Miami’s second drive. In such scenarios, you can blame no one because that’s what football brings. The moment you step on gridiron, you sign yourself up to shed sweat, blood, and tears. The 25-year-old had played nine games for the Phins in 2023, hoping to get more games under his belt this time. Smith was cross-training at guard, positioning himself as a versatile backup on the offensive line. But fate had other plans, leaving Miami with a gaping hole to fill on their O-line.

With Smith sidelined, the Dolphins face a challenge—can they keep their line intact? The answer lies in Miami’s depth and hopes to turn the tide. While Coach McDaniel empathizes with Smith’s plight, he sees this setback as a door opening for others. “I don’t know how many NFL offensive linemen we have. But it’s more than you’re able to keep on a roster,” Mike quipped, hinting at the depth and competition ahead. His confidence stems from Miami wasting no time as they re-signed Chasen Hines, who got waived days earlier. Hines went unclaimed and into the free agency. And now he steps into Smith’s shoes, hoping to fill the void and keep the Dolphins’ offense humming.

But that’s not all, Dolfans! Mike McDaniel also shed light on another key player, Jaelan Phillips, who endured his own season-ending injury in 2023. And this time, the news is much brighter.

Mike McDaniel hails Jaelen Phillips as a “strong learner” in a test of fortitude!

Phillips’ 2023 season ended abruptly with a torn Achilles during a Black Friday game against the New York Jets on the 24th of November. The then 24-year-old LB was on track for a career year with 6.5 sacks in just eight games. Although the game ended in a comfortable 34-13 victory for the Phins, they lost their linebacker.

But Monday didn’t bring the blues—it brought ‘woohoos’ for the fans! Gearing up for Miami’s next preseason game, Mike McDaniel confirmed that Jaelan Phillips will come off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

But, first, what is this list? The PUP list is a strategic tool, keeping injured players rostered without using up a spot. Players on PUP before the season can’t play or practice for the first four games, giving teams a cushion as they juggle their lineup. So, for Miami, it was a delicate dance—especially with Phillips. Considering it could take players around a year to recover from Achilles’ injury, putting him off the list suggests the 25-year-old’s mental toughness.

“What I got to learn about Jaelan Phillips is he’s a very capable, strong learner because this was a test of internal fortitude,” McDaniel noted, commending Phillips’ grit. Now eligible to practice, Phillips’ return adds some much-needed punch to Miami’s defense, especially with Bradley Chubb and Christian Wilkins still sidelined.

As the Dolphins navigate these ups and downs, they’re banking on depth and determination to carry them through. With Phillips back in action, will Miami’s defense rise to the occasion, or will these injuries prove too much for Mike McDaniel and co.? Let us know!