The Miami Dolphins enter 2024 as a team on the cusp of greatness, just missing that breakthrough win to get them to the next level. Strong offensive pieces and a talented defense could lead to a deep playoff run especially with the AFC East division up for grabs with the Bills re-tooling and the Jets talented on paper but unproven.
Key injuries last year down the stretch prevented the Dolphins from winning their first divisional title since 2008. A fully healthy Dolphins roster should compete for division and conference titles year in and year out. Going 11-6 despite all those injuries shows they belong but key losses in free agency will hurt them. Those losses include DT Christian Wilkins, DT Raekwon Davis, OT Robert Hunt, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, S Brandon Jones, and S DeShon Elliott making repeating that success more challenging.
Below are all the notable injuries coming out of the 2023 season and potential concerns heading into 2024.
Offense | Defense | Free Agency | Draft Picks
Offense
RB Salvon Ahmed (Foot)
Ahmed was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 12 with a foot injury that lacked specifics. While Ahmed was seen as a depth option at running back, he saw a lot of snaps on special teams regularly.
Without additional specifics as to the exact nature of the injury, Ahmed better hope that he is fully healthy in a crowded running back room that only got deeper during the draft. He was placed on the NFI list before training camp indicating the injury he is dealing with was sustained outside of football activities.
OT Isaiah Wynn (Quad)
Wynn originally injured his quad muscle in the Week 7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Initially, it was expected that he would miss several weeks before returning but instead, the team placed on injured reserve, missing the remaining 11 games of the season.
There isn’t any indication that he required surgery but the fact that he was placed on injured reserve so quickly suggests that this was a moderate to severe strain. He has had injuries over the last several years including an Achilles tear his rookie year and ankle and hip injuries during his time with the New England Patriots that have hampered his availability. He was placed on active/PUP to start the season which is surprising considering the injury, but there may be more information regarding the specifics shortly.
RB De’Von Achane (Shoulder/Knee)
Achane had a superb rookie season despite working through various injuries including an AC joint sprain during training camp followed by a MCL sprain in Week 5 that sent him to injured reserve. He spent four weeks on injured reserve before returning and tweaking the knee, missing the following week.
The team limited his workload down the stretch to prevent further issues with his knee but will be healthy coming into the 2024 season. Having multiple options at running back in Achane, Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed, Chris Brooks, and Jaylin Wright will help keep everyone fresh and potentially reduce injury risks.
OT Terron Armstead (Left Knee/Right Ankle/Back)
Armstead has been on the injury report for pretty much the last two years due to various injuries including to his injuries listed above. He was contemplating retirement at the end of last season but decided to come back for at least one more year.
There isn’t one specific injury that will affect his availability for 2024, but he continues to be a player who plays through injury and breaks down often. The Dolphins should have a strong option for backup with the expectation that he begins to miss games as he gets older.
RB Chris Brooks (Ankle/Knee)
Brooks spent six weeks on injured reserve due to an ankle and knee injury suffered in Week 6. Considering it was two injuries along with the timeline together suggests it may have been a high-ankle and MCL sprain.
Both injuries should have no lingering issues heading into this season in a crowded backfield.
WR River Cracraft (Shoulder)
Cracraft suffered a shoulder injury that sent him to injured reserve for four games followed by missing another two games when he returned. The thought was that he suffered an AC joint sprain and was placed on IR so that the Dolphins could bring Robbie Chosen to the roster.
AC joint sprains typically don’t linger from season to season which means he should be fully healthy coming into 2024.
RB Jeff Wilson (Finger/Abdomen Injury)
Wilson missed the first six games of the season after he suffered finger and abdomen injuries in the final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Once he was given adequate time to rehab, he was able to return and be productive for the remainder of the season.
WR Tyreek Hill (High-Ankle Sprain)
Hill was on pace to break the single-season receiving record until a high-ankle sprain slowed him up and sapped his explosive speed. After missing one game, he was able to return but did not have the same burst that he had earlier in the season.
Thankfully, high-ankle sprains do not typically linger unless there is repeat injury to the area which means that Hill should be at his best come 2024. He may eventually begin to hit a cliff where we see his speed is affected as he gets older, but he doesn’t appear to be there quite yet.
WR Jaylen Waddle (Concussion/Oblique/High-Ankle)
Waddle was slowed by a concussion followed by an oblique injury early in the season that forced him to miss Week 3. Though missing only one game, he worked through the injury and returned to a high level of play. He later suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 16 that cost him the next two games.
As mentioned before, high-ankle sprains do not linger from season to season and Waddle should be ready to go come training camp.
OT Robert Jones (Left Knee)
Jones suffered a left knee MCL sprain in the preseason, missing the first six games of the season. When he did return, he was only available for several weeks before suffering another knee injury in Week 9, forcing him to miss another three games in addition to the bye week.
He should be healthy coming into this season and have no lingering issues.
Defense
DE Bradley Chubb (Left ACL Tear)
Chubb tore his left ACL in Week 17, missing the final regular season game and the playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He underwent surgery shortly thereafter and began his rehab. Unfortunately, he is no stranger to ACL rehab as this is the third time he’s torn the ligament, the last two times in his right knee.
I would not expect much out of Chubb this year as he works back from the injury. The beginning of the regular season will be roughly the eight-month mark; many players aren’t cleared to resume football activities until after nine months, which will be in October. Considering it will take him another few weeks to get back into football shape, he is looking at a return closer sometime in November, barring setbacks. He will spend training camp on the PUP list for at least half of the season.
Even when he does return, he will lack explosiveness, the ability to react quickly, and difficulty bending the edge. The hope would be that the Dolphins are near the top of the standings and do not need to rush him back. Should the Dolphins make the playoffs, Chubb could be used in situational downs and a limited role to keep opposing offenses honest. Any production out of Bradley Chubb in 2024 will be a plus.
DE Jaelan Phillips (Oblique/Right Achilles tear)
Phillips had a rough 2023 season, battling through an oblique injury sustained originally in Week 1. He missed three total games while he worked through the injury before returning for good in Week 7. He began to return to form until suffering an Achilles tear against the New York Jets in Week 12.
It appears that Phillips is responding well to his surgically repaired Achilles and could potentially be ready for Week 1.
Despite his progress, he was still placed on PUP to begin the season. He can come off anytime before roster cutdowns, but the Dolphins may want to go slow with this. Even if he is ready come Week 1, he may still lack some of the explosiveness coming off the left side that will take most of the season to regain. Like Bradley Chubb, the hope is that he can regain some of his form at the end of the year during the playoff push.
S Jevon Holland (Bilateral MCL Knee Sprains)
Holland suffered MCL sprains to both of his knees in Week 12, missing four games. He attempted to play through the injuries the last two weeks of the season with limited success before missing the playoff game against the Chiefs.
The presentation of that injury is more unlucky than anything else and should not linger into 2024. His pairing with Jordan Poyer should help elevate his game to the next level.
CB Jalen Ramsey (Meniscus)
Ramsey missed the first half of the season while he recovered from a meniscus tear that required repair. He was able to come back after missing seven games and worked his way back into form. The Ramsey that we saw in 2023 was not his best but barring injury, 2024 should see a return to his elite level play.
LB Cameron Goode (Ruptured Patellar Tendon)
Goode suffered a patellar tendon tear in the Week 18 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Considering the injury occurred at the beginning of January, Goode has a long road ahead of him before he can return to play.
He was placed on active/PUP to begin training camp and I would expect him to stay on there until his minimum four-game stint in October. He could reasonably return to play after that but I would not expect a high level of play from him especially considering his position.
Free Agency
All injury info comes from Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
DL Calais Campbell
Campbell has never appeared in less than 12 games during a season and is set to begin his 17th NFL season. Age is the only concern regarding Campbell and that’s not enough to worry.
WR Odell Beckham
Beckham has slowed as he’s gotten older, especially coming off his ACL tear in the 2022 Super Bowl. He dealt with ankle and shoulder injuries last year but will continue to be an excellent third option for Tua in the offense.
LB Cam Brown
An ankle injury cost him the season opener last year. The only other notable injury is from 2021 when he suffered a hamstring strain, missing two games.
DT Teair Tart
Knee and toe injuries along with a personal matter cost him two games but he has improved his availability over the last two seasons.
OL Jack Driscoll
No notable injury concerns other than an MCL sprain in 2020.
DR Neville Gallimore
The only notable injury is a dislocated elbow in 2021 that cost him 11 games.
C Aaron Brewer
Has not missed a game over the last two years, dealt with minor rib and ankle injuries.
LB Anthony Walker
Walker has spent time on injured reserve each of the last three seasons with a hamstring in 2021, a quad tendon tear in 2022, and a knee injury at the end of the season in 2023. He has an uphill battle to climb in order to return to health and contribute to the Dolphins in 2024.
TE Jody Fortson
Missed all of 2023 after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason due to a dislocated shoulder.
LB Jordyn Brooks
Dealt with ankle, knee, and hamstring injuries last year, missing one game. Torn ACL in 2022, returned in eight months.
CB Siran Neal
Minor ankle injuries two out of the last three seasons along with a concussion in 2020. Mainly a special teams ace.
TE Jonnu Smith
Missed zero games last year, and had an ankle injury and concussion that had him miss three games in 2022.
DT Isaiah Mack
Out of NFL in 2023.
S Jordan Poyer
A veteran safety missed one game due to a right knee injury in 2023. In 2022, he dealt with a broken foot, left hyperextended elbow, cracked ribs, lung puncture, meniscus tear, and in 2021, a partial rotator cuff tear. Poyer has had his share of injuries that have seen his play decline over the last two years. However, playing closer to his home and his knowledge of the game may help elevate Jevon Holland’s game, making Poyer’s presence valuable this season.
Draft Picks
All injury info courtesy from Dane Brugler of The Athletic
DE Chop Robinson
Missed two games in 2023 due to a concussion.
OT Patrick Paul
Required Tightrope surgery in 2020 due to a sprained ankle and torn ligament.
LB Mohamed Kamara
No injury concerns.
S Patrick McMorris
Hamstring strain during the Combine process.
WR Malik Washington
Torn ACL in high school (2017)
WR Tahj Washington
Washington was placed on the active/PUP list on Tuesday when the rookie reported due to an injury suffered during training.
RB Jaylen Wright
Left thumb procedure following the season in 2023.
Final Thoughts
This is once again a talented team that can go deep in the playoffs. However, they need to be able to overcome Buffalo’s dominance of the AFC East and have more control over their playoff path.
This isn’t a matter of if, but when for the Dolphins as they enter 2024. As it stands right now? They may be without several key contributors in Chubb and Phillips early on, but if they can keep moving forward until they’re ready, this could be a dangerous team come December.
This team can win 10-12 games and a divisional title if they just take care of business. The Miami Dolphins will be a fun team to watch and should keep up with anyone in the league. We will see how far this coaching staff can take them, but 2024 could be the year they break through.
Top Photo Credit: Phinsider.com
