MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker will indeed be going on injured reserve, coach Mike McDaniel said Saturday.
It was initially thought the MCL injury in his knee suffered in last Sunday’s win over the Washington Commanders would not land him on IR, but the team made the decision as the week progressed.
With five weeks left in the regular season, Baker will be out a minimum of four games.
Without Baker, the Dolphins are slated to rely on inside linebacker Duke Riley as his replacement in the starting lineup.
“This is more about team needs, really the collective accumulation of the roster and multiple positions, because it was right on the fringe of yes or no with it,” McDaniel said. “Things change every day, which is why I don’t stamp anything that’s unknown. So, we’ll be going in that direction now and feel good about that.”
The Dolphins are able to designate one more player to return off either IR or the non-football injury list after already using seven of their allotted eight. The seventh being running back Chris Brooks, who has been practicing and could be activated off IR against the Titans.
McDaniel said that last spot could very well go to Baker, but he didn’t commit to it Saturday. Miami also has offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn (quadriceps) and running back Salvon Ahmed (foot) among players on IR that could return, and wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (neck) is on NFI. Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips is on IR and out for the season with his torn Achilles.
Some good news for the Dolphins on Saturday is that the groin injury for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins that popped up on the team’s Friday injury report should not sideline him. He was not listed with a game status designation on the team’s injury report for Monday night against the Tennessee Titans and went through a full practice Saturday after the groin ailment limited Wilkins in Friday drills.
“Christian, I’m not worried about him playing Monday night, unless new information comes across,” McDaniel said before the day’s drills. “I’m pretty confident that he will.”
Safety Jevon Holland, who missed last Sunday’s game against the Commanders with both knees hurt, is questionable for Monday. McDaniel said it’s a “wait and see” for his availability against the Titans.
“Not because of any other reason but we are truly letting him progress,” McDaniel said, “and I want to see how he feels (Saturday) on the practice field — and then I want to see how he feels (Sunday) from it.”
Said Holland: “I was out there at practice, felt good, got my feet wet. (To play) is the goal. Feel optimistic about it. Ready to get after it.”
Holland said progress felt slow at first after sustaining the injury in the Jets game Nov. 24, but it started by regaining flexibility in his knees, followed by strength in his quadriceps and hamstrings and finally adding movement to his rehab over two weeks.
Left tackle Terron Armstead is listed as questionable heading into Monday night as he now deals with an ankle injury sustained at Washington in a week where he’s still receiving treatment for his ailing knee but got better from his quadriceps injury.
“No setbacks for Armstead,” said McDaniel, noting the decision will come down to game time.
Armstead relayed a similar sentiment.
“I really can’t say,” Armstead said about his availability. “I got up there, moved around, had some plays (Saturday), but the goal always is to be available, so we’re working, trying to put in overtime to be out there with these guys.
“Everybody’s dealing with some things. I may have more or less than others.”
Kendall Lamm and Kion Smith are the backup options at tackle if Armstead can’t go.
McDaniel ruled out right guard Robert Hunt, who missed the entire week of practice. A guard combination of Liam Eichenberg and Lester Cotton is slated to start Monday.
Brooks is questionable to be activated off IR with his knee ailment.
For the Titans, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (knee) cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring) and tight end Josh Whyle (knee) are out. Defensive lineman Teair Tart is questionable for personal reasons.
Munson signing
The Dolphins signed linebacker Calvin Munson on Saturday to the active roster off the New England Patriots’ practice squad.
Munson provides depth at a position where Miami will be without Baker.
Munson has longstanding previous experience with the Dolphins, playing 22 games with the team from 2019 to 2021.
The Dolphins also announced practice squad linebacker Alexander Johnson, who was a candidate to be elevated for this week’s game and could’ve contributed on special teams, was placed on the practice squad injured list.
It’s a Monday night party
The Dolphins will host a series of initiatives for “Monday Night Football” at Hard Rock Stadium.
Pregame, there will be Hanukkah celebrations on the stadium’s south plaza, a drone show over the team’s training facility adjacent to the stadium, a giveaway of glow-in-the-dark shirts available to the first 50,000 fans that enter the stadium and player introductions will feature a fan interactive light show on the team app.
There will be a halftime performance from Jhayco, a Puerto Rican platinum rapper and singer, with an interactive light show.
Limited single-game tickets for the Monday night matchup are still available. Fans can visit for more information.
