A day after Ravens loss, Dolphins’ McDaniel updates injuries to Howard, Baker and more

Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard is expected to miss at least one game, and potentially more, with a foot injury sustained early in Sunday’s loss to Baltimore.

“I’m not planning for” Howard to play Sunday against Buffalo, doach Mike McDaniel said Monday.

But McDaniel said “the good news is” the injury does “not look like it will require surgery. It’s a week to week measure. We will have to see how he responds. Feet at that position are tricky. Each person is different.”

Meanwhile, McDaniel confirmed that linebacker Bradley Chubb has a torn ACL in his right knee. He will miss the remainder of this season, and his status for the start of next season is very much in doubt.

“It’s a big loss for the team and the locker room because of the human being that he is and his play,” McDaniel said.

Chubb sustained the non-contact injury with the Dolphins losing by 30 and three minutes left. Asked if that will make him alter his approach about removing starters from blowouts, McDaniel said:

“That situation was very unique in that [we] had just taken out offensive players. I was in the process of communicating stuff to the players.

“It was a fumble one-play drive [that preceded the defensive series]. Guys run on the field. I could tell they didn’t want to wait a week for a series. You make decisions with the proper intent always knowing the consequences of those rest on your shoulders.

“It was a tough moment. I wish it wouldn’t have happened. When things like that happen, the burden is great.”

McDaniel said he’s not worried about Tua Tagovailoa’s throwing shoulder; Tagovailoa said it’s sore but not a big concern. The shoulder was injured when he slid late in the game.

“Not something that’s a huge blip on my radar,” McDaniel said. “What I’m not worried about is the player fighting through that and being able to be productive. I wouldn’t anticipate it being very sore because of the way he attacks rehab.”

On another injury front, linebacker Jerome Baker - who has been doing vigorous on-field work after missing some time with a sprained MCL - is eligible to begin practicing Wednesday and play on Sunday. McDaniel said his 21-day activation window will be opened soon.

Baker, who has missed four games, has “been doing well,” McDaniel said. “We will see how the work goes with the training staff. I’m optimistic” his 21-day window for activation “will begin here soon.”

But even if he begins practicing Wednesday, that doesn’t mean he necessarily will be activated for Sunday’s game.

Asked whether guard Robert Hunt is healthy enough to play after missing four games in a row with a hamstring injury, McDaniel said that will be determined when his practice work is increased this week.

“I anticipate a lot more reps coming his way,” McDaniel said. “If there are no setbacks, I’m fairly optimistic we will see him very soon.”

McDaniel addressed other issues during his Monday media briefing, heading into Sunday’s game against visiting Buffalo (8:20 p.m., NBC):

▪ He was asked whether Nik Needham or Cam Smith could get a fresh look at cornerback in Howard’s absence or whether Miami will continue riding with Eli Apple.

Here’s how McDaniel answered:

“Every single week you are assessing. There’s not a day that goes by where you overlook what people are doing on the field.

“Nik is doing a great job in his role. I would be confident with him in various amounts of roles. He’s a very smart player, knows several positions. He’s doing a good job.

“Eli has been doing a good job as well. Cam as a rookie at the corner position has done what we’ve asked in terms of developing. Corners are like quarterbacks where you are hoping to put them in position when they’re not going to have results that would have scar tissues.

“It’s not anything he hasn’t done necessarily. But there are also some players who have earned the trust of their teammates on the field that compete every day.

“[The theory that] we can’t put [Smith] out there -- it’s not like that at all. Those reps have gone to Eli because he has earned that. We will keep assessing that every week.”

▪ He said outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah will have a “huge role” without Chubb. “I feel very much more comfortable with a man of his size that much more removed from a soft tissue injury” two weeks ago.

Ogbah was a healthy scratch against Baltimore; Melvin Ingram was active instead.

“Mel has come in with exuberance and eager to deliver on the opportunity,” McDaniel said. “What he has done throughout his career is similar to what we’ve asked of our edge players. It kind of fits his game. It came up with Ogbah having a soft tissue and [playing Ingram against Baltimore] fit our game plan. He’s a cool piece of our locker room. And you know he’s going to compete.”

Ingram is on the practice squad but could fill a roster spot that will be open when Chubb goes on injured reserve.

McDaniel said it’s “possible” but not “inevitable” that the team would add another veteran edge player.

▪ The Dolphins are 4-0 after losses this season, and McDaniel said the fact Miami doesn’t have any losing streaks “speaks to what it takes in a parity ridden, top tier league.”

He said it “hurts” to watch the Baltimore tape but spoke of the need for everyone to get their “minds right” to prepare for Buffalo.

▪ On why the offense struggled after a strong start: “They tried to force some plays that ended up in turnovers. That kind of derailed the entire game from an offense’s perspective...

“Overly aggressive. Not just taking what’s there. I’m included in that too. Best way not to throw a pick is to call a run.”

Here’s my Monday piece with every Dolphins playoff scenario and who their first round opponent would be in each scenario.

Here’s my Monday piece with more on Chubb’s injury and notes at every position.