The Miami Dolphins have gone through their share of injuries on the offensive line in the 2023 season, but they've now gotten everybody back off injured reserve except for one player.
That one player is guard Isaiah Wynn, and head coach Mike McDaniel left open the possibility that he could also be back in the lineup at some point this season or in the postseason.
"Yeah, he is in a category for me where I'm letting the timeline play out," McDaniel said without revealing the timeline. "It's really not on my radar. That's not because it's inconceivable. It's more because I don't want him to instigate a setback.
"He's doing a great job. I hung out with him a little bit in the weight room while I wasn't lifting weights yesterday, and he's in good spirits and diligently working. As far as those possibilities, I'm not thinking about it. That doesn't mean it's not a possibility. It's just that I don't think that renders the best results for him. He's diligently working and we'll consider that when it gets a little bit closer if it does. But can't say yes. Can't say no, really."
Wynn started the first seven games of the season at left guard after signing a one-year contract following his stint with the New England Patriots.
Since Wynn has been out, Lester Cotton has started three of the past four games at his left guard spot with Robert Jones starting the other.
Cotton and Jones have been part of the seven different starting offensive line combinations necessitated by the injuries, and there could be an eighth for the game against Washington on Sunday if right guard Robert Hunt returns from his hamstring injury.
THE DOLPHINS' IR RUNDOWN
The possibility of Wynn returning this season hinges on the Dolphins keeping open their one remaining spot for a player designated to return from IR because they've already used seven of the eight allotments — and that number doesn't change once the playoff arrives.
Two of the DTR spots went to fellow offensive linemen, Terron Armstead and Jones.
The others went to CB Jalen Ramsey, WR River Cracraft, RB Jeff Wilson Jr., RB De'Von Achance and most recently RB Chris Brooks.
The Dolphins currently have three players on injured reserve eligible to return (because they were put on IR post-53) along with WR Erik Ezukanma, who is on the Non-Football Injury list because of a neck injury.
On IR along with Wynn are OLB Jaelan Phillips and RB Salvon Ahmed, both of whom sustained season-ending injuries over the past month.
So the Dolphins could choose to designate Ezukanma — WR coach Wes Welker said Thursday he'll still waiting to get clearance to play — or Wynn or simply keep the one spot available.
More must-reads: