Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Mike McDaniel gives injury update on new Miami Dolphins starter whose history warrants concern

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 11:30 AM ET

The Miami Dolphins are going to be relying on a number of players who come into the 2025 season with some question marks attached to them and something to prove as a result.

A couple of those players are free agent signees from back in March in former Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu and former Steelers guard James Daniels. While Daniels, who suffered a torn Achilles in 2024, appears ready to go, Melifonwu was announced as being on the non-football injury list to start the season.

Naturally, with a lengthy injury history in his career, that raised some red flags and warranted an inquiry from the local media to head coach Mike McDaniel during his Wednesday morning press conference. However, the Dolphins' head man says he's not worried and that the issue is of a "preventative nature".

"I would say it's nothing that I'm worried about," McDaniel said regarding Melifonwu. "It's rooted in a good amount of preventative nature."

Melifonwu spent four years in Detroit after being drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He appeared in 7 games in 2021 but was limited by a quad injury that cost him time. He played in 10 games in 2022 while dealing with ankle and hamstring issues.

2023 was finally a healthy season for him, as he appeared in 17 games with 6 starts and had a solid showing with 33 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 3 sacks. He added 16 tackles and 2 sacks in the playoffs that year as well. But he dropped off again in 2024, appearing in just 3 games due to an Achilles problem.

As such, popping up on an injury report before playing a down after coming in with such a lengthy history is concerning, particularly since he's a projected starter alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick. After all, his history lines up more with a player who can't make it through a season than one who can.

We'll find out how much truth there is to McDaniel's stated lack of concern based upon how quickly he makes it onto the practice field.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: