Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel encouraged by Austin Jackson’s first game since injury

So how happy was Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel this past Friday to have offensive tackle Austin Jackson playing in a game again?

“It’s funny, I saw him in the hallway yesterday and the first thing I told him was like, ‘Dude, I was so fired up for an MA [missed assignment],’” McDaniel said Sunday.

The 14 snaps Jackson took against the Atlanta Falcons in the Dolphins’ preseason opener are just another step on the road back for the former first-round pick out of the University of Southern California.

Jackson says he’s confident he can return to being a durable part of Miami’s offensive line this season at the paramount right tackle spot protecting left-handed starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Jackson made 28 NFL starts in his first two seasons in the league before injuring his right ankle twice last season, limiting him to playing in just two games.

“It was great taking a year off, I definitely needed it,” Jackson said after Monday’s practice. “The reps were right where I liked it, getting my feet wet. It was good.”

Jackson, who recently turned 24, hurt his ankle last year in Week 1, landing him on injured reserve. Jackson returned in Week 12 and started Miami’s game against the Browns before suffering a separate injury to the same ankle which ended his season.

Jackson feels recharged and believes he is having one of his best training camps yet.

“I feel like I’ve been able to get better at everything I do whether it be technique, conditioning, my physicality, everything,” Jackson said. “I have a pretty good approach on how to attack a football season.”

McDaniel said his enthusiasm even when it comes to just correcting a mistake Jackson made stems from having seen the journey Jackson has been through to return to full health and productivity on the field.

“What was awesome is he kept his technique, he ended up responding immediately and had some really good — it was on a run play — and had some really good pass protection and then run blocks,” McDaniel said. “That’s what you’re looking for, to make purpose of these exhibition games. ... That was a hurdle that I knew was coming. He didn’t wait much time and then responded as good as one can in the game of football, which was my primary concern since he hadn’t played in a minute.”

Who’s hot

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill. He wore the orange jersey during practice as recognition for his performance on Sunday and was the most dominant player on the field. He caught several passes in team drills and few of them may have gone for long scores in a real game.

Who’s not

Offensive tackle Kion Smith. He had a rough day with the Dolphins’ pass rushers on Monday, particularly second-year player Cameron Goode, allowing multiple would-be sacks and pressures.

Next practice

The Dolphins are headed to Houston, where they will hold the first of two joint practices with the Texans on Wednesday, ahead of their second preseason game on Saturday.

Quote of the day

“I think my family was more excited than me” — undrafted rookie defensive back and Boca Raton native Keidron Smith, on his NFL debut and the many family members who watched him at Hard Rock Stadium last Friday