MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins guard James Daniels, who is recovering from an Achilles injury that limited him to four games last season with Pittsburgh, hopes to get medical clearance Tuesday or Wednesday that allows him to to fully participate in practices.
“I believe I meet with my doctor either today or tomorrow,” Daniels said after Tuesday’s practice, “and then I believe after that meeting I’ll be cleared. So I’ll be cleared today or tomorrow whenever I get a chance to meet with him.”
It’s good that Daniels, the Dolphins’ big ticket free agent with his three-year, $24 million contract, is optimistic. If his optimism proves true and he can fully participate in practice it means major offensive line help is on the way.
The Dolphins’ offensive line, viewed by many as the weakest link on the team, needs to get on with the business of building cohesiveness so it can effectively protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and open holes for the run game.
In short, the Dolphins offensive line needs to get better. Quickly.
Daniels and left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the second-round pick, play major roles in that goal. The guard position was heavily scrutinized and criticized by fans and media last season.
Its improvement is seen as a key to the Dolphins bouncing back from their disappointing 8-9 showing in 2024. Daniels, who remained limited in Tuesday’s first practice with full pads, as well as in other offseason workouts, might be the No. 1 key to the offensive line getting better.
“Progress has been going good and it’s really been nice,” said Daniels, who has been sharing snaps with backup right guard Kion Smith throughout the offseason program.
“It just sucks. It’s hard to play football when you don’t have pads on. It’s like you can do as much drill work, you can push as many sleds as you want. But really going out there and having to play and react, it’s been really good for me. I’ve been grateful for the trainers and the plan they have me on to ramp me up.”
Hearing such an upbeat tone from Daniels is good.
The Dolphins could use some good news on the injury front. So far in training camp they’ve lost cornerback Kader Kohou (right leg) and safety Ashtyn Davis (left leg) with injuries. There’s no return date for either of them.
The Dolphins also saw little-used reserve offensive tackle Bayron Matos transported off the field by helicopter for an upper body injury that temporarily restricted movement on the right side of his body.
Beyond that, center Aaron Brewer hasn’t yet taken the field due to a soft tissue injury, and safety Iffy Melinfonwu, the top candidate to start alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick, is sidelined while on the non-football injury list.
If Daniels gets medical clearance to fully participate in practices, they’d have four-fifths of the likely starting offensive line intact — Daniels, Savaiinaea, left tackle Patrick Paul and right tackle Austin Jackson.
Once Brewer returns they could hit high gear when it comes to fixing the entire offensive line.
As it is, offensive line progress is going well. Daniels said things are going well between him and Jackson on the right side of the line.
“He sits right in front of me in meetings and we talk a lot in meetings about things he’s done in the past or things that I’ve done in the past,” Daniels said. “Chemistry has been going extremely well, so I’m really excited to play with him.”
But the Dolphins must still be judicious with Daniels. Achilles injuries are no joke. Ask edge rusher Jaelan Phillips who maintains coming back from an ACL injury is much easier than coming back from an Achilles injury.
Phillips said he couldn’t walk for the first four months while in rehabilitation and wearing a walking boot.
Daniels, who appeared to have a slight limp Tuesday, said after his Achilles injury he sought out someone who had the same ailment. The best advice he received?
“When you’re in the boot, just don’t stretch,” Daniels said.
The stretching comes months later.
Well, it’s months later and Daniels is doing well. His rehabilitation seems to be right on schedule.
The Dolphins hope the offensive line’s improvement is on the same path. Every day counts, every play counts. As Daniels knows, nothing is guaranteed to him or the offensive line.
“There’s people who have played years with each other and still don’t have chemistry,” he said. “So every day we’re just building more and more … every day I’m just getting better.”
Soon the Dolphins hope that’ll be the case for the entire offensive line.
Miami Dolphins tight end Pharaoh Brown (85) catches a pass during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Willie Gay (40) sings along with music during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel walks with safety Elijah Campbell (22) and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins safety Elijah Campbell (22) goes up for a ball during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92) leads the defense onto the field for practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson (0) throws during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Alex Huntley (96) talks with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) drops back during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Dee Eskridge (82) and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) are seen during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Julian Hill (89) catches a pass during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins Ben Stille runs during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea (72) is seen during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins guard Josh Priebe (68) signs for fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Eugene Asante (51) signs for fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Kion Smith (71) speaks to the media during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins guard James Daniels (78) speaks to the media during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson (11) speaks during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (44) is seen during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins center Andrew Meyer (60) signs for fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) signs for fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins guard Jonah Savaiinaea (72) greets fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul (52) greets fans during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Miami Dolphins tight end Pharaoh Brown (85) catches a pass during practice Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Originally Published: July 29, 2025 at 3:30 PM EDT