The Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers joint practice has been going well for the most part. However, there were some complications with injuries to a couple of ‘Fins players in the training camp. Apparently, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Odell Beckham Jr. sustained their fair share of injuries, but Mike McDaniel is still cautiously optimistic about them.

So far, backup quarterbacks Mike White and Skylar Thompson have been handling the Dolphins’ command since the past two preseason games. Though preseason games don’t carry a lot of weight, Miami fans might rejoice in the fact that their team is 2-0 in the preseason against the Commanders and the Falcons so far. But what about the Dolphins’ star players?

Are Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill playing in the preseason finale?

Mike McDaniel admitted to the media that he’d probably put some starters on the field, but didn’t delve into the details. But looking at the past, Tagovailoa has a history of playing two preseason games every year. From 2021 to 2023, he played two preseason games each year. So, judging by the past, there is a faint possibility that we see him in action against the Bucs.

Tua played in the last game against the Commanders and Miami won 13-6. He was perfect, completing 5 of his 5 throws for 51 yards. He even threw a 13-yard touchdown to River Cracraft in the first quarter. Since he plays two games every preseason, we might as well see him go against the Bucs.

“We will play some starters; we won’t play others,” McDaniel admitted to Sun-Sentinel. “For a majority of the starters, (Wednesday) is a very big practice because some of them won’t play. There will be some that do, but that is just kind of how I look at it overall.” However, of the bunch, Tyreek Hill has most chances of missing out the preseason game.

Hill was seen with a removable brace during the joint practice and did not practice on Wednesday. However, it’s not a “major injury,” but McDaniel chose to stay cautious about it. The good news is, the Cheetah was spotted in pads and was catching the ball without the removable braces.

“From a medical standpoint, you’re just trying to let something cool down, so you don’t have something happen at the expense of regular-season games,” McDaniel told the media. “He’s been very active, but we’re trying to make sure there is nothing — that we keep him out of harm’s way.” Again, Hill is not expected to don the #10 on the field against the Bucs.

Injury scares in the Miami Dolphins

One of the most noticeable absences from the training camp is that of Jaylen Waddle, who has been missing the camp for weeks due to an “undisclosed injury.” However, this is also something “minor” that McDaniel believes Waddle can deal with, without a problem. On Wednesday, Waddle suited up, but only for individual drills. He didn’t take part in team practice.

Another cause of concern in the Miami bootcamp is Odell Beckham Jr., who is on the PUP list. He didn’t play in the preseason and hasn’t participated in training camps for weeks on end. He also has an “undisclosed injury,” that won’t allow him to participate in the preseason either.

Again, McDaniel is cautiously optimistic about him as he said, “So, I’m not rushing the process. I’m not worried about it because I know the intent is right on both sides, and the intention is to not have something holding him back.”

Apart from the big shots, there are some O-Line concerns as the team missed the center Aaron Brewer for the past two weeks due to a hand injury. Also, the receiver Rivers Cracraft is harboring a significant shoulder injury that he sustained against the Commanders. He might also not play against the Bucs.

If you want to find out Chris Gronkowski’s take on his NFL journey, and other things, check out the Dual Threat Podcast with BG12.