Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel explains reason for late delay of game penalty in loss to Bills

The Dolphins had issues getting out of the huddle in time repeatedly in Sunday’s season-ending loss to the Bills.

More than once, it led to the Dolphins using timeouts early in the game and left them with none with 4:13 remaining as they were trying to mount a potential game-tying or game-winning drive.

After the game, a 34-31 defeat, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel chalked up the issues of getting plays in to multiple factors, including some communication problems in the huddle as Miami’s offense looked to make a late comeback directed by rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson.

“It’s something that obviously will be a point of emphasis in the offseason, but there’s compounding variables. There was some crowd noise that had to do with mishearing some digits of the wristband,” McDaniel said.

“It shouldn’t happen as much as it did.”

It also led to a delay of game penalty which pushed a fourth-and-1 at their own 48 with 2:29 to go to a fourth-and-5 that they did not convert and allowed Buffalo to run out the clock.

McDaniel said there was some confusion on the prior play as to whether or not the Dolphins had made the first down when Salvon Ahmed ran for no gain. By the time Miami realized they had not received a first down, they had to substitute their personnel with little time to call the new play and get lined up.

“The last one in particular had to do with whether it was officials or coaching, there was some communication that we’d gotten first down. So then we were deploying a group of players for the first-and-10 call and then it was articulated that no, it was fourth down,” McDaniel said. “That’s all the stuff that you do in this business, is you never stop finding the things that you can improve on and it was a piece of the reason why we were unable to come out with a victory, but it definitely wasn’t the only reason.”

Including the playoffs, the Dolphins were flagged for delay of game eight times this season, tied for the second-most infractions in the NFL.

“In the huddle, we were trying to figure out what play we were going to run,” said left tackle Terron Armstead, who at one point called a timeout to prevent a penalty. “It was real loud. Operation’s got to be better.”

INJURY REPORT

The Dolphins’ offense was without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) for the third consecutive game but left tackle Terron Armstead started.

Armstead, who was listed as questionable to play, returned from a two-game absence because of multiple injuries. Running back Raheem Mostert (thumb) was also out. It was only Armstead’s second game playing in which Tagovailoa did not play (Week 5 against the New York Jets was the other).

Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr, fullback Alec Ingold and Teddy Bridgewater were also active. Bridgewater, who dislocated the pinkie on his right (throwing) hand in Week 17, did not play. Wilson, the Dolphins’ top punt returner, made his return after missing the regular-season finale because of a hip injury, and had a 50-yard punt return in the second quarter that led to a Jason Sanders’ 37-yard field goal.

In addition to Tagovailoa and Mostert, the Dolphins also deactivated left guard Liam Eichenberg, offensive tackles Brandon Shell (knee/ankle) and Kendall Lamm (ankle), cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and tight end Tanner Conner.

HAMLIN SUPPORTING FROM AFAR

There was much speculation about whether or not ailing Bills safety Damar Hamlin would be able to attend Sunday’s game.

Hamlin returned to the Bills’ team facility on Saturday for the first time since suffering cardiac arrest on the field during Buffalo’s game at Cincinnati on Jan. 2.

But about an hour before kickoff, Hamlin tweeted that he’d be supporting his teammates from home.

Hamlin tweeted with a video of him exiting the field after a game earlier this season attached: “My heart is with my guys as they compete today! Supporting from home as I focus on my recovery. Nothing I want more than to be out there with them! LFG #BillsMafia.”

Hamlin spent most of the time since then in the hospital and in critical condition before being released this past Wednesday.

A report from The Associated Press surfaced roughly two hours before kickoff saying Hamlin was planning on attending. But NFL Network later reported that Hamlin was still on oxygen and being monitored closely by doctors.

Hamlin fell backward on the field after delivering a hit during the first quarter of Buffalo’s game Jan. 2 and needed to be resuscitated by medical personnel. The game was suspended and subsequently canceled.