Holland Status for Washington Game Uncertain

Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland tested out his sore knees during Friday's practice, participating on a limited basis during team drills. But at this point it's too early to tell if he'll be cleared to play in Sunday's road game against the Washington Commanders.

Holland, who injured both knees during a collision that took place in Miami's 34-13 win against the New York Jets, had missed the past two practices. But participating in Friday's session gives Holland a chance to dress for the Commanders game, if not start.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has taken a cautious approach to injuries all season with the goal of having the team's best players available, and healthy for the December stretch of games that will dictate the playoff landscape.

Holland's status could be impacted by this approach.

"He's been aggressively going after his rehab," McDaniel said of Holland, who returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown against the Jets earlier in last week's game. "He knows right now he's playing the best ball of his career and when players are in those situations they definitely are as eager as they ever are to play.

"With Jevon, we have to be very smart knowing what he means to our team as a leader and as a player, and what he's able to do in our scheme. I will be very cautious and not afraid to be the patient wise one, if it makes sense."

Holland could miss his second game

Holland, whose 69 tackles leads the team, has already missed an earlier game because of a concussion he suffered in Miami's loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.

This season is critical for the former Oregon standout the Dolphins selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft because Holland, who is slated to earn $1.85 million in 2024, and his camp will be pushing for a lucrative multi-year extension, one that likely pays him as if he's an upper-echelon safety.

The top 10 highest-paid safeties all earn more than $13 million a season, and received multi-year contracts that guaranteed them north of $27 million.

"He's the quarterback of our secondary," safeties coach Joe Kasper said of Holland, who has contributed one interception and forced three fumbles this season.

If Holland can't play against the Commanders, Brandon Jones, a fourth-year veteran who has started 26 NFL games, likely will fill in for Holland as the safety paired with DeShon Elliott, and it is possible that Nik Needham and Elijah Campbell could enter the playing rotation.

Jones, who has started 26 of the 48 games he's played for the Dolphins, has spent most of 2023 working his way back from a season-ending ACL injury he suffered last October. He's started two games this season for Miami, and has contributed 14 tackles and one pass deflection in the 151 defensive snaps he's played.

Offensive linemen return to practice

Also participating in Friday's practice was guard Lester Cotton, who missed Thursday's session because of an illness. Cotton is expected to make his fifth start of the season.

Robert Hunt, the Dolphins' starting right guard, is also completed his second straight week of practice. His participation has been limited, and McDaniel said a decision on his playing status hasn't been made.

Last week Hunt, who is nursing a hamstring injury, was dressed for the game, but used as a reserve.

Terron Armstead, who pulled himself out of the Jets game because of a quadriceps injury, has participated in three straight practices. McDaniel also labeled his participation in Sunday's game a game-time decision.

Kendall Lamm, who missed the previous two practices because of back issues, participated Friday's session, likely on a limited basis.