MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins could be activating starting right tackle Austin Jackson off injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, and an activation of tight end Darren Waller isn’t out of the question either.

Coach Mike McDaniel, speaking before Friday’s practice, said he needs to let the session play out before making any determinations on a potential Saturday activation for Jackson, who has been on IR since injuring a toe in the season opener Sept. 7.

“We have the day that we have to evaluate,” McDaniel said. “We’ll let (Friday) play out. If that occurs, we obviously have to do some roster moves, so we’ll take until (Saturday) through the evaluation, and if we have to do something, we still have some time to do that.”

Asked if he was optimistic about Jackson, he said he was.

That shouldn’t be surprising as Jackson was first designated for a return to practice Nov. 12 while the Dolphins were in Madrid. He had the practice week before the international game against the Washington Commanders and the ensuing bye before this week of practice.

“He’s one of the toughest players I’ve ever been around,” McDaniel said of the tackle who has had an injury history since he was selected in the first round of the 2020 draft. “He has a mind testing the limits of his body. … We wouldn’t be having this conversation with most players I’ve coached. He would be on IR. It’s all positive, and if he’s able to go, he will.”

For Waller to be activated Saturday would be a little more surprising, as he had his first practice back from his pectoral injury Wednesday, but McDaniel wasn’t ruling that possibility out Friday.

“He’s in play,” McDaniel said. “I’m an optimistic guy. We’ll see with how he feels (Friday), but if there’s not a setback, I’m optimistic.”

Waller looked good as he was seen catching footballs and running routes on air in the red zone during a brief media viewing portion of Friday’s drills.

“It was cool seeing him out there,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Wednesday. “He’s just working through some things, but when we get him back, when we get Austin Jackson back, I think that’ll be great additions for us.”

McDaniel detailed the message he has gotten across to Jackson this week and how the offense stands to improve from his presence, albeit as Larry Borom has been serviceable filling in.

“The biggest thing that we’ve been talking to him about is he’s playing not to be perfect,” McDaniel said. “We’re not having him play, whenever he gets on the field, to be absolutely perfect.

“There’s a little rust you have to knock off, but where he’s at with his game and what we’ve seen this week is the tonality and the physicality that it brings to our already-physical group. The biggest thing is, going into it, having a reasonable expectation of performance for him relative to his high standard of himself and then to let the Austin Jackson style of play show out on the field. That means he’s convicted. That means he’s intentional. That means he’s trying to displace defenders.”

Said left tackle Patrick Paul this week: “It gives us a spark. He’s definitely a very loud and great leader for us. Someone who is very impactful in the game and just a great person to have on the field.”

Added running back De’Von Achane: “Just him being a vet and him being here a long time, he’s a great tackle, him or Larry (Borom) whoever’s in. I feel like Larry did a great job when he was in and Austin I feel like he’s going to pick up where he left off.”

If Jackson is not activated Saturday for the Sunday game, he can still be brought back from IR early next week before his 21-day window expires. Waller has much more time in his window.