Dolphins‘s wide receiver River Cracraft suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday’s preseason game against the Washington Commanders and is expected to be out for significant time.
Coach Mike McDaniel said Cracraft will miss “some time for sure. It doesn’t look like it’s the end of his season.”
Cracraft was one of the Dolphins’ best players in training camp and his loss, to what appears to be a shoulder injury, is unfortunate.
Against Washington at Hard Rock Stadium, Cracraft had 29 yards and a touchdown in just two receptions, after a precise 13-yard reception from Tua Tagovailoa.
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With Odell Beckham Jr. on the physically-unable-to-perform list for at least another week, Miami is now in a precarious position with its wide receivers led by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who has been out more than a week with what McDaniel has called a minor injury.
Until Beckham returns, Braxton Berrios, Erik Ezukanma, and Malik Washington appear to be the favorites to fill the third through fifth spots.
McDaniel noted that Ezukanma “really got to show his talent” with five receptions and 65 yards in the game against the Commanders. The team could add another veteran wide receiver to the roster.
Braylon Sanders (who is listed as “week to week” with an injury, according to McDaniel), Mike Harley Jr., Willie Snead IV, Kyric McGowan, Anthony Schwartz, and JeQuan Burton are the other players under contract.
McDaniel said Beckham will not practice this week, but added that “there has been progress in his recovery. I’m not rushing the process. I’m not worried. I know the intention is right on both sides. The intention is to not have anything slowing him down once he gets out on the field.”
If the Miami club wants to keep Cracraft’s chances of playing this season alive, they can’t immediately place him on injured reserve.
According to the new league rules, his addition to that list would have to take place next week, coinciding with the reduction from 90 to 53 players.
“If there is anyone who is ready to handle adversity, it’s River Cracraft,” McDaniel said.
“He has worked to be a very good player in this league and that confidence will continue. He did some very good things in the game against Washington.”
Injury Update
McDaniel offered an update on several players who were injured Saturday against Washington.
Cornerback Cam Smith has a hamstring injury and is listed as week to week. “He’s made the most of his opportunities. He’s committed to things and done good things. He’s dealt with some adversity and there’s been growth in his game,” McDaniel said.
Running back Chris Brooks is in the injury protocol.
Safety Jordan Poyer, who is out for 15 days with a thumb injury, will practice this week.
Linebacker David Long Jr., who suffered a hand injury on the game’s first play, is OK. McDaniel addressed other issues on Monday.
His take on the battle between quarterbacks Skylar Thompson and Mike White.
“I have a history with both of them. They’ve both been able to win NFL games against good opponents in the regular season and they have things in their game that I really like,” he said.
“I have put them in a lot of tough situations and will carry on to do so this week and in the upcoming preseason game. Both have proven themselves in previous years to be quality backups. The approach I’ve taken is to create super-tough situations for both of them. I look for conviction after a bad play happens, how to get to the line of scrimmage and coach them.”
With Brooks in the concussion protocol and Jeff Wilson Jr. (nose) sidelined, the Miami Dolphins signed former Steelers running back Anthony McFarland.
McFarland had 42 carries for 146 yards (3.5 per carry) in 17 games over four seasons with Pittsburgh from 2020-23.
A third Miami running back, Salvon Ahmed, has been dealing with a foot injury. Rookie Jaylen Wright also has a minor injury that sidelined him against the Commanders.
The Dolphins were forced to use wide receiver Burton as a running back in the second half of Saturday’s game against Washington.
Miami also agreed to a deal with former Colorado State linebacker Dequan Jackson, who spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this year.
