Dolphins defensive lineman Tony McDaniel will miss several weeks after injuring his hand during Monday night’s 38-24 loss to the Patriots. According to reports McDaniel underwent a surgical procedure to expedite the healing process.
Acquired from the Jaguars in 2009, McDaniel has 52 tackles and four quarterback sacks in 32 games over the last two-plus seasons with the Dolphins. Though the 6-foot-7, 305-pound end does not start in base defense packages, he plays defensive tackle in Miami’s nickel defense, earning a start in the season-opener on Monday night.
With McDaniel out, franchised nose tackle Paul Soliai, who is usually removed in nickel defense, figures to get more opportunities to rush the quarterback. Soliai has just two quarterback sacks in his 53-game career, both coming during a breakout 2010 season that resulted in him receiving the $12.476 million franchise tender in February.