The Miami Dolphins are in the middle of making some tough decisions as they work to cut their roster down to 53 players ahead of the 4 p.m. Tuesday deadline mandated by the NFL.
The Dolphins have already cut several players, including veteran cornerback Mike Hilton, tight end Pharaoh Brown, running backs Aaron Shampklin and Mike Boone.
During a Monday afternoon press availability, McDaniel broke the news that star kicker Jason Sanders is expected to miss at least 4-5 weeks with a hip injury. Sanders missed Saturday's [**final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars**](https://www.wptv.com/sports/football/dolphins/tua-tagovailoa-throws-td-pass-and-is-sacked-twice-as-dolphins-beat-jaguars-14-6-to-wrap-preseason), forcing the team to use punter Jake Bailey on kickoffs.
Sanders' absence will be a big blow to an already injury-plagued roster.
"I don't anticipate him being available at the beginning of the season. I don't see a season ender. To our knowledge, surgery isn't necessary, but time is," McDaniel said, referring to Sanders.
Miami will look to sign a kicker in the days to come.
McDaniel said running back Jaylen Wright will likely miss the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts with a leg injury. The team is exploring if surgery is needed for Wright, but McDaniel said the running back's injury was not season-ending.
Dolphins' sixth-round draft pick Ollie Gordon II took a majority of the carries for Miami on Saturday night and will look to have a bigger role in the offense when the season kicks off Sept. 7.
Starting running back De'Von Achane has been nursing a calf injury that kept him out of the final preseason game.
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