McDaniel updates injuries on Armstead, Wynn, Needham and addresses other Dolphin issues

Among the four Dolphins who are beginning training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list, offensive linemen Terron Armstead and Isaiah Wynn are closer to returning than cornerback Nik Needham and tight end Tanner Conner, coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday.

But McDaniel seemed hopeful that Needham (coming off last October’s torn Achilles) and Conner would be ready at some point.

Players on that active PUP list can be taken off that list at any time. But if they are on PUP to start the season, a player must miss four games.

After those four games, teams have a three-week window to activate the player, release them or place them on injured reserve, allowing them to sign a replacement.

Armstead had a knee “clean up” procedure this offseason, McDaniel said. He dealt with four injuries last season - a toe (the most troublesome of the injuries), knee, a pecterol and hip. He played 13 of the Dolphins’ 17 regular season games.

Wynn was injured in on-field work preparing for the season, McDaniel said. He didn’t specify a body part.

Conner’s injury is undisclosed.

The Dolphins’ first practice of camp was scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The first practice open to fans is Sunday. The team is off Saturday.

McDaniel addressed other issues:

▪ McDaniel said he spoke with Tyreek Hill after his confrontation with a man at a local marina; the parties reached an out of court settlement but the NFL continues to investigate the matter.

“In a situation like that, everybody is disappointed with what we’re talking about,” McDaniel said. “When you’re in charge of making decisions, reserve as much judgment as possible until all the information is collected. The league is still looking at it.”

▪ McDaniel said Tua Tagovailoa has “had a tremendous offseason.”

Tagovailoa was named the NFL’s 82nd best player in a vote of NFL players. McDaniel seemed pleased to see that.

“When you’re begging for positive reinforcement and see if you suck, I can say if you’re on that list, you don’t suck,” McDaniel said.

▪ Asked about his conversations with center Connor Williams - who skipped the offseason program because of unhappiness with his contract but reported to training camp, McDaniel said:

“The biggest thing with Conner is being able to communicate the whys. I have lost zero relationship with him at all. Feel very good about us working through that and very pumped to have him. He’s pumped to be back. You have to have relationship with each and everyone of your players. The business is real and too often it can affect relationships.”

McDaniel joked that general manager “Chris Grier is the bad guy and I’m the good guy.”

▪ In a brief reflection on last year’s 9-8 season and playoff berth, McDaniel said:

“You find out that losing five games in a row is pretty miserable; there’s nowhere to hide in that process. This year’s team, the players who were a part of that, are closer because of that...

“My favorite part of last year was going through that with them. There are a lot of scars people have in their past.”

McDaniel remains convinced that “players respond to genuine, consistent, authentic intent.”

McDaniel said he never wants to get complacent or too comfortable because “the second I do that, how can I not expect every coach and player to do the same?”

▪ One change for McDaniel from last year: He said in his first year in Miami, he was “putting together a scheme” without knowing with certainty what his players do best.

Now, “you can tailor a system to your players” because “you know what they’re comfortable in.”

▪ Is McDaniel eager to see Hill and Jaylen Waddle compete against cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey in training camp?

“Have you seen their collective paychecks? My interest is high,” he cracked.

In all seriousness, “what I’m pumped about is those guys specifically want to win in the worst way and want to be the best version of themselves.”