Unclosed Door on Wynn However, in the Miami Dolphins’ Week 7 loss at Philadelphia, offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn suffered a quad injury.
The Miami Dolphins’ offensive line has seen its fair share of injuries in 2023, but all but one of the players have since returned from injured reserve.
Guard Isaiah Wynn is that one player, and head coach Mike McDaniel hinted that he might return to the starting lineup later in the regular season or during the postseason.
McDaniel stated, “Yeah, he is in a category for me where I’m letting the timeline play out,” but he did not disclose the date. Really, I’m not keeping an eye on it. Not because it’s unthinkable, though. More than anything, I don’t want him to cause a setback.
“He’s performing admirably. While I wasn’t lifting weights yesterday, I spent some time hanging out with him in the weight room, and he seemed to be working hard and in good spirits. Regarding those possibilities, I’m not considering them. That does not rule out the possibility, though. Simply put, I don’t believe that will benefit him the most. He’s working hard, and if and when it gets a little bit closer, we’ll take that into consideration. but unable to respond in the affirmative. Really can’t say no.”
After spending time with the New England Patriots, Wynn signed a one-year contract and started the first seven games of the season at left guard.
Lester Cotton has started three of the last four games at left guard while Robert Jones has started the other since Wynn’s injury.
Jones and Cotton have been a part of the seven different starting offensive line lineups that have been required due to injuries, and if right guard Robert Hunt recovers from his hamstring injury in time for Sunday’s game against Washington, there may be an eighth.
THE RUNDOWN OF THE DOLPHINS
Wynn’s chances of playing again this season depend on the Dolphins holding their one open spot for a player who has been cleared to return from injured reserve. This is because they have already used seven of the eight allotments, and that number stays the same until the playoffs.
Terron Armstead and Jones, two other offensive linemen, received two DTR spots.
CB Jalen Ramsey, WR River Cracraft, RB Jeff Wilson Jr., RB De’Von Achance, and, most recently, RB Chris Brooks received the remaining awards.
Three players on injured reserve who were placed on IR after the 53-game are currently available for return to the Dolphins, in addition to wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, who is listed as non-football injured due to a neck injury.
OLB Jaelan Phillips and RB Salvon Ahmed, who both suffered season-ending injuries during the past month, are also on injured reserve in addition to Wynn.
The Dolphins could thus decide to designate Wynn or Ezukanma (WR coach Wes Welker stated on Thursday that he is still awaiting clearance to play), or they could decide to keep the one spot open.
