MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins have good news on the status of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, but now have an injury to starting center Aaron Brewer to monitor.
As Waddle missed a third consecutive training camp practice at Wednesday’s second of two joint sessions with the Atlanta Falcons, the undisclosed injury doesn’t appear to be severe.
“Minor stuff,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said heading into the day’s drills.
But in that practice with Atlanta, Brewer made an early exit. He was attended to by trainers, who appeared to take a look at his right, snapping hand.
If Brewer has to miss time, the Dolphins’ next center on the depth chart is undrafted rookie Andrew Meyer. But Liam Eichenberg, who has been slotted as the team’s starting right guard on the depth chart, started eight games at center last year when former center Connor Williams was injured. Offseason addition Jack Driscoll also may possess the versatility on the line to play center.
Waddle, who signed a three-year contract extension with two seasons still remaining on his rookie deal, has already stood out — even for his standards — during Dolphins camp before being sidelined.
Waddle, in previous years, has dealt with training camp nicks before getting ready for the regular season. At the end of last year, he missed the last two regular-season games with an ankle injury.
“He’s one of the toughest wide receivers that I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach,” McDaniel said. “However, when you’re trying to make sure you get the season off on the right foot and you best facilitate the right scenario for health, you take measures and you learn new things.”
Preseason opener
McDaniel has been known to keep the availability of starters for preseason games under wraps ahead of those exhibitions.
The Dolphins coach did so again before the team’s preseason game against the Falcons on Friday night. He said the team will assess whether starters will play Thursday, after going through tape of the two joint sessions.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has not played in a preseason opener in McDaniel’s tenure as Miami coach. Last year, Tagovailoa saw his most action in the second week of the preseason and also played some in the third and final exhibition.
McDaniel, to wrap up his answer on the subject, strongly hinted that could be the case again.
“I don’t think you’re going to be surprised,” he said.
That could mean it’ll be a big day for the backup quarterback competition between Mike White and Skylar Thompson.
“That competition is something I’m very proud of,” McDaniel said. “Those two competitors really gave it their best shot last year, and it was a pretty close race with Mike winning it last year.”
It has only progressed with both getting another offseason.
“Each individual is better than where they were last year,” McDaniel said. “It’s neck and neck and far from me even thinking of who’s going to win that job.”
Harley signed
With multiple pass-catchers sidelined, the Dolphins signed former Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Mike Harley Jr., who played his high school football in Fort Lauderdale at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Harley went through his medical evaluation in the morning and quickly joined the Dolphins for practice. He was seen stretching, running routes and even was in on a team period.
“He seemed like a great guy,” fellow receiver River Cracraft said of meeting him Wednesday. “I know he said he played with Braxton (Berrios) at the U. He wasn’t able to be in the meetings this morning. I think he was going through all of his medical stuff. So we kind of just saw him on the field. He got thrown onto the field a little bit, but he did a great job. He’s got great feet, and I’m excited to watch him play.”
Harley is UM’s all-time leader in receptions (182). He went undrafted and was a Cleveland Browns practice squad member before he didn’t make the team last year.
Harley joins Anthony Schwartz as former South Florida high school products now vying for a Dolphins roster spot in camp.
Miami cut offensive lineman Chasen Hines to make room on the roster.
First joint practice review
McDaniel reviewed Tuesday’s first joint practice with the Falcons before Wednesday drills.
“Overall, I liked our standard with which we attacked practice,” he said.
“On defense, I saw a spirit that I was very confident in but you don’t know until you face another squad. … “The connectivity from Anthony Weaver on down through coaching staff and the players, emerged one common goal.
“Offensively, on the field, I was looking at things very positive. And as I looked at the tape, I was pumped about the things I was really looking for as tangible things we’ve been emphasizing since April.”
