Dolphins release first injury report of year. And Miami salary cap news, personnel notes

The Dolphins’ first league-required injury report of the season, released on Wednesday, featured Terron Armstead in the “did not practice” list, something that was often the case last season.

Armstead, recovering from a leg injury sustained in a joint practice with the Houston Texans, was not spotted during the portion of practice open to media on Wednesday.

The Dolphins listed three injuries -- back, ankle and knee --- as reasons for Armstead missing practice on Wednesday.

Coach Mike McDaniel declined to say if he expects Armstead to play on Sunday at the Chargers (4:25 p.m., CBS).

“I plan, when he’s not practicing, to play without him,” McDaniel said. “I’m not going to go into that crystal ball. Good conversation [on Tuesday], good conversation [on Wednesday], and feel good about where he’s at mentally.”

Appearing on NFL Network last week, Armstead said: “It’s definitely the goal to be out there Week 1.”

Injured Dolphins players are not permitted to speak with reporters.

Kendall Lamm likely would start on Sunday if Armstead is sidelined.

Only one other injured player on the 53-man roster did not practice: safety Elijah Campbell, who is recovering from a knee injury.

Players who were limited in practice: receiver Jaylen Waddle (oblique), cornerback Justin Bethel (knee) and tight end Julian Hill (ankle). Waddle has said he expects to play on Sunday.

SALARY CAP UPDATE

The Dolphins are down to $4.6 million in cap space this year and are $26.5 million over the 2024 cap, according to overthecap.com.

The Dolphins’ 2023 cap includes $15.6 million in dead money to players not on the roster, including $4.7 million to Byron Jones, $2.1 million to Eric Fisher, $2.0 million to Dan Feeney and $1.4 million to Noah Igbinoghene.

Also, Keion Crossen has a $3.1 million cap number because he was injured in the final practice before the NFL roster cut deadline. Had he been released before that practice, he would have no cap hit, and the Dolphins would have $7.7 million in cap space, not $4.6 million.

Alec Ingold’s new three year contract, which could be worth as much as $17.3 million, includes $6.1 million guaranteed.

THIS AND THAT

Andrew Van Ginkel said playing both inside and outside linebacker this season - after playing only outside linebacker in the past - increases his value.

“The more you can do, the more you can help the team,” he said. “I’m just accepting my role no matter what it may be. Obviously, it’s a challenge. Outside to inside ‘backer is a lot different then going from inside to outside. There’s a lot more information that you have to take in.

“You get to see the bigger picture of the defense and how the offense is attacking you. It’s definitely helped me learn the defense and have a better understanding of what we’re trying to do and be in the right place.”

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio called Van Ginkel in March, when he was still unsigned, to lobby him to return. But Fangio did not broach playing inside linebacker in that initial conversation.

“That’s something that came up a little later,” Van Ginkel said. “Obviously, he saw something in me and he was an impact in trying to get me back here. Maybe he saw it in me the whole way which is why he wanted me back.”

▪ Bethel, who seemed on track to miss extended time when he sustained a leg injury on Aug. 9, instead is back on the 53-man roster. Miami re-signed him a day after cutting him.

“I’m a fast healer,” he said. “I’m glad they brought me back. I’m always expecting to get a job somewhere.”

▪ Receiver Jaylen Waddle, on how adding weight and strength has helped him: “When I make contact with a defender, I’m much more stable.”

▪ McDaniel confirmed a Yahoo report that quarterback coach Darrell Bevell has been dealing with a detached retina, sustained July 30.

“He’s winking at me a lot less,” McDaniel initially joked, before referencing the fact that Bevell had to lie on his stomach, face down, for nearly all of the first week after eye surgery. “A great way to show people how much you care is lay down for a week and the only thing you look at is practice footage endlessly.

“What was cool was the team moment with that. There’s so many little stories like that where people are sacrificing things, going through things to contribute to this team, whether it’s coach or player. It wasn’t lost on the quarterbacks.”

▪ Cornerback Eli Apple and running back Chris Brooks both wore number 33 in preseason, which led to the Jaguars public address announcer incorrectly crediting Apple with a preseason touchdown that was scored by Brooks.

This week, Brooks shifted to No. 35, while Apple kept 33.

Here’s more Dolphins news from Wednesday, on Isaiah Wynn, Kelvin Joseph and more.