McDonald likely out; Alonso risky again

Dolphins S T.J. McDonald (ankle) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bills. It'll be the 2nd straight game he has missed. LB Kiko Alonso (knee, hamstring) is questionable for the 2nd straight week. Alonso was active last week but didn't play a snap. It sounds like Alonso will actually play this time around. HC Adam Gase told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Friday: “He looks a lot better this week. It’s probably good that we didn’t play him [last week] because it could have gotten worse. He could have pulled it. He looks night and day from what I saw Sunday.” The hamstring appears to be the bigger issue. If active, Alonso will be usable this week. But he'll also carry elevated risk. Lead Dolphins CB Xavien Howard (knee) is also questionable after missing the past 3 weeks. He's not an IDP factor, and his status shouldn't matter for any particular Bills WR option.

Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins (hand), EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah (back) and CB Xavien Howard (groin) are questionable for Sunday night's game against the Steelers

The Dolphins have agreed to terms with Mike McDaniel to become the team's next HC. McDaniel spent 2021 as San Francisco's OC after serving as the run-game coordinator the previous 4 seasons. McDaniel arrived with Kyle Shanahan, whom he had also worked under with the Falcons, Browns, Washington and Texans. McDaniel got his NFL start as an intern with the 2005 Broncos, coached by Mike Shanahan. So we should expect a strong Shanahan influence on McDaniel's offensive approach in Miami. He inherits an offense with QB Tua Tagovailoa heading into Year 3 and WR Jaylen Waddle coming off a terrific debut campaign. Plenty of questions need to be answered, though, with "TE" Mike Gesicki and multiple WRs facing free agency. The Dolphins also sport an unsettled backfield that found Duke Johnson leading in rushing yards per game last season. This will be an interesting offense to watch through the offseason, especially because McDaniel looks like a potential plus for the unit.

Dolphins S Brandon Jones (ankle, elbow) is inactive for today's game against the Giants. EDGE Jaelan Phillips (hip) is active, however, and an upside play for pressure-friendly IDP leagues.

Dolphins S Brandon Jones (ankle, elbow) and EDGE Jaelan Phillips (hip) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants. Both players put in limited practices all week. Jones missed last week's game with the same injuries after a week of limited practices. Phillips' issue is new. We'll check the status of both potential IDP options Sunday morning.

Dolphins CB Xavien Howard (shoulder, groin) and CB Byron Jones (Achilles', groin) are both active for today's game against the Falcons. Both players missed Miami's last game. Their return certainly helps the pass defense. EDGE Jaelan Phillips (ankle) is active for the game as well. He entered the day questionable.