Dolphins’ McDaniel updates injuries with Waddle, Phillips, Armstead, Ahmed. And more

Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle remains in concussion protocol and his status for Sunday’s home game against Denver remains in question. Waddle won’t practice on Wednesday, coach Mike McDaniel said.

Waddle, on a pass that was broken up, took a big hit in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against New England.

Asked how much game-planning would change without Waddle, McDaniel said: “There are plenty of players who can make plays on the team. I don’t worry nearly as much as you think about what we don’t have. It’s 100 percent what we do and how to problem solve for that. We move on to what we can feature.”

McDaniel had no update on when linebacker Jaelan Phillips (back injury) would practice, saying only that Phillips is “progressing.” Phillips sustained a back injury during last Friday’s practice; McDaniel said Phillips wanted to play against New England but doctors decided it was best for him to sit.

Left tackle Terron Armstead will practice on Wednesday and have a practice “uptick” Thursday when pads are on, McDaniel said: “We’ll up the ante and take a close look at him [Thursday] and see when he responds.”

Armstead missed the first two games of the season with three different injuries, including an ankle issue. Kendall Lamm played well in his absence.

Running back Salvon Ahmed (groin) likely won’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday at the very least, McDaniel said. He seems positioned to miss Sunday’s game against the visiting Broncos (1 p.m., CBS).

Rookie De’Von Achane likely would be Miami’s No. 2 back -- behind starter Raheem Mostert -- if Ahmed is out.

McDaniel said Achane - who had one carry for five yards against New England - “did well with his opportunities. You can tell the game is not too big for him.”

McDaniel said Achane’s absorbing of the entire playbook is something “he’s made vast improvements on. Fortunately for the team, he is prepared for the additional opportunities” that he’s in line for.

Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. must remain on injured reserve for two more weeks. Besides Mostert and Achane, BYU rookie running back Chris Brooks also is available.

McDaniel addressed other issues during his Wednesday press briefing:

▪ On outside linebacker Bradley Chubb’s strong play against New England: “There hasn’t been a day that has gone by since we acquired him that I haven’t been thankful. Production has been when, not if. One of the reasons we chose to acquire him and pay him is he is a difference maker that is also selfless.”

▪ On new offensive line coach Butch Barry: “I was fortunate enough to work directly with Butch in San Francisco my last season there. After digesting the whole 2022 season, I think he was just what the doctor ordered. It’s not for anything but his commitment to the task at hand, his commitment to the players... And he’s relentless. He brings the juice and takes it very, very seriously. It’s been very encouraging thus far.”