The Miami Dolphins fought hard against the Buffalo Bills, despite losing 31-21 to the reigning AFC East champions, but they lost yet another member of their secondary in rookie slot cornerback, Jason Marshall Jr..
This makes the former fifth round draft pick the latest on a long list of casualties that have befallen the Dolphins in the secondary, who had already lost original starting nickel, Kader Kohou, back in training camp to a season-ending ACL injury.
Despite late-offseason acquisition, Jack Jones, forming a capable tandem with veteran, Rasul Douglas, Miami will be itching to get more out of their CB group back from injury.
There was a hope that one such player – second year pro and former UDFA, Storm Duck – would return from an ankle injury that has kept him out of action since the season opener on Monday night against the New York Jets.
McDaniel Pessimistic On Storm Duck’s Chances To Play On Monday Night
However, speaking to the media today, head coach, Mike McDaniel poured cold water on those prospects.
The Dolphins coach said Miami plans to sign kicker Riley Patterson to the 53 as he’s out of elevations from practice
Per David Furones of the Sun Sentinel, McDaniel said about Duck: “He’s progressing. I don’t have my hopes up for this next game. It’s a little early, but soon after that, I’m hoping.”
This echoes the report of ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, who said that there were very low chances of the former Louisville corner.
Mike McDaniel said he can almost certainly say Dolphins CB Storm Duck will not play vs the Jets.” Louis-Jacques posted on X on Monday.
The pair also reported that McDaniel updated the media on the status of offensive lineman, Liam Eichenberg, who has yet to play a snap this season, having started the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP).
Eichenberg’s lower body injury is “of the chronic nature”, and as such will require more time on the sidelines.
Where Does The Dolphins’ Secondary Go From Here?
The good news for Miami is that McDaniel did seem more optimistic about Duck returning to the lineup after Monday’s divisional matchup against the Jets, with the week 5 game at the Carolina Panthers on October 5 looking like a realistic return date if all goes to plan.
Duck had a decent rookie season in 2024, playing in 14 games and starting 3. After the offseason departures of Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey – who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this summer – it was expected that Duck would be elevated to full time perimeter corner alongside 2023 second round pick, Cam Smith.
With Smith dealing with his own injuries in recent weeks – the former South Carolina ballhawk was put onto the Non-Football Injury list (NFI) back in late August as the team filled out its 53-man active roster – and Duck out, the team has had to rely on Jones and Douglas.
Neither has shown brilliance over the past couple of games, but they remain serviceable for an otherwise weak secondary.
Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel Provides Important Injury Update On Starting Cornerback