The Miami Dolphins need help at edge rusher, but reinforcements could be on the way. Coach Mike McDaniel announced Monday that Pro Bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb and third-year pass rusher Cameron Goode will begin practicing this week after their 21-day activation windows opened.

“They’ll be out there practicing on Wednesday,” McDaniel told reporters. “That is never lost on your teammates when you sustain a serious injury during the season and then end the season with rehab.

“The offseason program, they watch her rehab. At the beginning of the season they observe the rehab. While everyone is on vacation, they are here in rehab. So it will be exciting to get their windows going and they will be training on Wednesday.”

Chubb suffered a torn ACL in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens last season and finished his career year with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. Goode, a 2022 seventh-round pick, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Miami’s loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18.

“I think just from a team standpoint, like I said, you always have people making sacrifices day in and day out right in front of you just to have them to start training; That in itself, apart from the players but also the people, you inherently don’t take too much for granted when you’re out there watching them go through it and that you’re lucky enough to be there for all the teammates out there who will be out there with them,” McDaniel said.

The Dolphins rank 29th in the league with just 1.8 sacks per game. The return of Chubb and Goode could help an edge rushing unit that combined for just nine sacks in 12 games.

Uncertainty at cornerback

The Dolphins suffered a tough loss on Thanksgiving Day as they were without cornerback Kendall Fuller (concussion) in their 30-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers and were without both Cam Smith (shoulder) and Kader Kohou (back) during the game. lost.

Fuller, who suffered his second concussion of the 2024 season on Monday Night Football against the Rams, has not played since Nov. 11. However, head coach Mike McDaniel expressed optimism for Sunday’s game after discussions with Fuller and the medical team.

As for Kohou and Smith, their status remains uncertain. McDaniel provided updates on both players:

• Squad Kohou: (He’s still battling the back injury) and there’s no talk of a roster adjustment or whatever. I don’t think it’s possible to say yet whether he will be ready for this game or not.
• Cam Smith: His injury was a little more serious. What that means – I would say it would be week to week. I’m discussing ways to attack it, but it was a serious injury that will keep him out this week. I know that much.

The Dolphins are barely keeping their playoff hopes alive, but they can get back on track this weekend at Hard Rock Stadium against a New York Jets team that has lost nine of its last 10 games. Wednesday’s injury report gives us a first look at which of these five defensemen will be available in Week 14.