Miami Dolphins QB Mike White is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. And other injury updates

Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Mike White is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.

White played four snaps in Miami’s preseason win over the Houston Texans on Saturday. He briefly entered the game in the third quarter after Skylar Thompson left to be checked for an injury. It’s unclear when White sustained his suspected head injury. But during his brief stint on the field, he was sacked by defensive end Adedayo Odeleye, being swung to the ground. Defensive lineman Byron Cowart also made contact with White’s helmet on the play. While on the ground, White briefly grabbed at his helmet. He was on the field for one more play and then the Dolphins punted. Thompson re-entered the game on the next possession.

McDaniel said that staffers noticed some “irregularities,” jumpstarting the concussion check. McDaniel was then informed that White was unavailable to enter the game.

“Plans quickly change. You just adjust like all football teams have to,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel said that the plan was for White to split reps with Thompson against the Texans as both compete to back up starter Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa played the first two series and then Thompson entered the game for him, eventually playing in all but the four snaps he missed in the third quarter. Thompson threw three touchdowns as the Dolphins won, 28-3.

In the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, White played in the first half and Thompson played in the second half.

“I knew I was going to play after Tua,” Thompson said after the game. “I didn’t quite know what the situation was going to look like. Once Mike went through the same deal that I did, so they just informed me that I was playing the rest of the game, so I was happy to get more opportunities there.”

The injury development throws a wrench into the competition to back up Tagovailoa. The Dolphins will play their final preseason game on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. There is a five-step return-to-play process for anyone placed in the concussion protocol, which puts White’s availability for the finale in question.

The Dolphins on Monday re-signed James Blackman, who was released on Aug 7, so that three quarterbacks will be available for the week of practice and the Jaguars game. McDaniel said decisions on who plays in the finale have not yet been made. Miami waived cornerback Tino Ellis with an injury designation to make room for Blackman.

The deadline to trim the roster to 53 players is at 4 p.m. on Aug. 29. The Dolphins open the 2023 season on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 10.

Other injury updates

Rookie running back De’Von Achane, who injured his shoulder against the Texans, is “week to week,” McDaniel said.

Asked whether Achane would be ready for the season opener, McDaniel said he’s “not really worried about it being an issue. I’m more worried about how he’s going to look at the end of this week and the beginning of the next.”

McDaniel also said that tight end Eric Saubert could miss “more than a week or two” rehabbing an injury he sustained against the Texans. And offensive lineman Robert Jones will also likely be sidelined for a longer period with what his agent told WSVN is an MCL sprain.

Offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg, who is competing for the starting left guard spot, is “chomping at the bit” to return after he was held out of the Texans game because of an injury. Isaiah Wynn started at left guard in Houston and played well into the second half.

And backs Alec Ingold and Myles Gaskin are close to returning to the field after being sidelined for over a week with injuries. Ingold hasn’t practiced since joint practices with the Falcons, while Gaskin hasn’t since rushing for a team-high 57 yards in the preseason opener.

This and that

McDaniel said he hasn’t thought about whether defensive lineman Christian Wilkins’ hold-in will extend into the regular season. Wilkins hasn’t fully participated in practice since Aug. 5 as he seeks a contract extension. He did not play in the Texans game.

“When Christian tells me he’s ready to go, he’ll be ready to go,” McDaniel said. “I’m not worried about anything other than the guys that are on the practice field each and every day, and [I’m] very hopeful that things work themselves out. But I also try to stay in my lane with coaching the player. I will say, he’s been absolutely demolishing individual work.”