Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel on short turnaround before 'TNF': 'I'll sleep when I'm dead'

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel on short turnaround before 'Thursday Night Football': 'I'll sleep when I'm dead'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/26/22

The Miami Dolphins have been one of the most exciting (and successful) teams in the NFL through the first few weeks of the season. They are the only undefeated team left in the AFC at 3-0, and if the New York Giants (2-0) fall to the Dallas Cowboys on "Monday Night Football," they'll be one of only two unbeaten teams remaining in the NFL (along with the 3-0 Philadelphia Eagles).

After surviving a thriller against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, it'll be a quick turnaround for first-year head coach Mike McDaniel and company, as the Dolphins will travel to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4 on "Thursday Night Football." When talking with members of the media on Monday, McDaniel didn't sound worried about the short week.

Adds that it makes him feel better considering everyone has to do it and that the mini-bye afterward feels good -- if you're able to win the game https://t.co/1bnrsrpdUf
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) September 26, 2022

In his brief tenure as Miami's head coach, McDaniel has made a habit of providing memorable soundbites during interviews. Ahead of the team's season-opening matchup against legendary head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, the former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator quipped "We're either crowned or we suck," and in the days leading up to the Week 2 affair with the Baltimore Ravens, McDaniel commented on how his showering habits have changed since earning his first head-coaching job.

On a more serious note, the 39-year-old also addressed the health of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Monday. During Sunday's win over Buffalo, the southpaw took a hard hit late in the second quarter, which resulted in his head slamming against the turf and stumbling off the field in an obviously dizzy, wobbly manner.

Mike McDaniel said Tua is sore right now, which they expected. Added that he's nursing some ankle soreness as well but too early to make a statement one way or the other if Tua will play Thursday:

"I don't assume anything."
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) September 26, 2022

Mike McDaniel: "I don't mess around with (player health) at all. Tua was pretty annoyed with me during the game when I was talking to him because he knew what hurt and couldn't understand why people were talking to him about what they were talking about."
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) September 26, 2022

McDaniel added that Tagovailoa isn't currently in the NFL's concussion protocol. The league is investigating the matter, however, looking to see if the Dolphins followed protocol when allowing their quarterback to re-enter the contest on Sunday.

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