Dolphins' Tyreek Hill has status in question for Rams game Monday night; Austin Jackson out

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The wrist injury that surfaced this week for Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill has his status against the Los Angeles Rams up in the air.

Hill was not spotted during a brief media viewing portion of Saturday’s practice, Miami’s final session before the Monday night game against the Rams (4-4) at SoFi Stadium.

He went through a Thursday practice and was not listed on the injury report at all. He was then added to the team’s injury report Friday, when he missed the day’s drills with the ailing wrist, which appears to have some residual damage from last Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.

“Managing something that was heating up, so just had to let it cool down,” McDaniel said. “He’s doing everything possible. He’s a competitor. So, we’ll see how he responds. Just trying to get him to game day.

McDaniel added he’s neither optimistic or pessimistic about Hill’s status.

“He’s prepared, and if his body lets him, he’ll play,” McDaniel said. “But we’ll see.”

Hill has 34 receptions for 446 yards and a touchdown in eight games this season, as he’s on track for lows in his three-year tenure with Miami (2-6) after missing starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for four games earlier this season.

Meanwhile, on the offensive line, right tackle Austin Jackson has been ruled out by McDaniel as of Saturday.

Jackson has not practiced this week with a knee injury that was revealed on Thursday’s injury report, after it was previously thought he made it through last Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills without getting hurt.

“It’s something that popped up after the game, and he’ll be out for this game,” said McDaniel, adding the team is still evaluating any long-term effects.

Without Jackson, 10-year veteran Kendall Lamm is expected to start at right tackle as he is more of a swing tackle than rookie Patrick Paul, who has mostly worked on the left side. But McDaniel did not leave it out of the question for Paul to play.

The Dolphins also have various injuries in the secondary, and McDaniel is optimistic those defensive backs can play.

Safety Jevon Holland is trying to return after missing a game with a knee injury. He called himself a game-time decision when he spoke Friday.

If Holland is unable to play, Miami could start a safety combination of Jordan Poyer and Marcus Maye again, but defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has noted Elijah Campbell as someone who could earn playing time.

Cornerbacks Kader Kohou (neck) and Storm Duck (ankle) are also trying to play after they were inactive against the Bills. Their availability could mean the Dolphins don’t have to dip down their depth chart to play Cam Smith or Siran Neal defensively behind top cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller. Kohou, with his versatility, is also vital in allowing Ramsey to line up in different spots.

The injury that was witnessed for Smith, second-year cornerback, at Friday’s practice was not a significant knee ailment. He will be available to play against the Rams.

Both fullback Alec Ingold (calf) and tight end Julian Hill (shoulder) are working hard to play against the Rams, McDaniel said.

Wide receiver and return specialist Dee Eskridge will not be traveling with the team to Los Angeles due to personal reasons.

Roster decisions

The Dolphins, for a second game, have a decision to make on whether to activate wide receiver River Cracraft ahead of Monday night’s game.

Cracraft, who returned to practice from his preseason shoulder injury Oct. 30, has increased his practice participation from limited sessions last week to full days of work this week

“We’re handling some roster stuff,” McDaniel said. “It’s kind of compounding, but feel very good about where he’s at. I think he’s ready to play.”

This week, Miami also designated rookie safety Patrick McMorris to return, but Cracraft would be further along toward activation from IR.

The Dolphins can also bring long snapper Blake Ferguson back off the non-football illness list beginning next week. They have Tucker Addington on the practice squad, available to be elevated for the game.

Miami opened up a roster spot Saturday by waiving nose tackle Brandon Pili. A corresponding move was not announced. In the past two games, the Dolphins elevated fellow defensive tackle Neil Farrell from the practice squad, as defensive tackle Zach Sieler wasn’t available. Sieler is set to return this week.

Fines issues

Three Dolphins were fined this week for actions in Miami’s loss to the Bills last Sunday.

Poyer was tabbed $11,193 for unnecessary roughness, running back Raheem Mostert $18,830 for use of the helmet, and cornerback Cam Smith $8,874 for a horse-collar tackle.