Miami Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb hasn’t suffered any setbacks, but the two-time Pro Bowler needs more time before returning to action. Coach Mike McDaniel shared Monday that Chubb won’t be on the practice field in preparation for Sunday’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
“I don’t expect to see Bradley this week,” McDaniel said. “As far as weeks moving forward, we’ll see but I don’t expect that to happen this week.”
Chubb started 16 games last season, setting career-highs in quarterback hits (22), tackles (76), and forced fumbles (6) before tearing his ACL in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens. Nine months post-injury, Chubb appears on track to return this season.
“The way he’s attacked and the way he’s really come back from a pretty serious injury, I’m optimistic that I will, for sure, just because we haven’t had any setbacks or anything,” McDaniel said when asked if he expects Chubb to play in 2024. “I’m optimistic for that but I can promise you that whenever he is back, he couldn’t have been back any sooner.
“He is trusting our medical staff to make sure they’re his discipline for not overexerting or trying to make the time that he’s missed as small as possible.”
The Dolphins need help on the edge after losing Jaelan Phillips to a season-ending ACL injury. The defense ranks near the bottom of the league with an average of less than two sacks per game.
Miami signed Tyus Bowser off the Seattle Seahawks practice squad before the bye week. That said, this certainly looks like a team that could use Andrew Van Ginkel’s pass-rushing abilities (and two interceptions) through six weeks.
Though the plan’s success remains to be seen, the Dolphins had a clear vision when they drafted edge rusher Chop Robinson in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was expected to be a pass-rush specialist as a rookie in a rotation featuring Phillips, Chubb, and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett, who retired in late July.
Of Miami’s nine sacks, three have come from edge rushers. Emmanuel Ogbah has two quarterback takedowns, and Phillips is behind him with one. The Dolphins were dealt a tough hand at edge rusher, but Chubb’s return could be just the boost Anthony Weaver’s defense needs.
“Just because of his sweat equity that he’s put in – you wouldn’t know as a teammate that he hadn’t practiced this year just because he’s been around for everything and made sure to keep himself involved and used his leadership voice for positive,” McDaniel said. “I’ll be excited for when he gets back on the field, don’t know exactly when that will be.”