MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins will be without pass rusher Bradley Chubb in 2024 as he continues to recover from a significant knee injury sustained at the end of the previous season.
Chubb had been listed on the physically unable to perform list after suffering multiple injuries, including tears to his anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus, and patellar tendon in his right knee during a game on New Year’s Eve last year. This month, the Dolphins opened a 21-day window for Chubb to practice and possibly return; however, they ultimately decided not to activate him by the Christmas Day deadline.
Coach Mike McDaniel addressed the decision, highlighting the importance of maintaining respect for players who have earned opportunities through their performance. He affirmed that Chubb has been diligently working to recover and regain his form, emphasizing, “He takes that serious. He knows what it looks like to be Bradley Chubb for this team.”
Despite expressing that he felt good after a few practices, Chubb remained uncertain about his return this season. Commenting earlier this month, he said, “I’m just taking it day by day. I’m not trying to look at the bigger picture right now… Hopefully, it trends in the right direction.”
McDaniel assured that Chubb did not face any setbacks during recent weeks, and the decision to open his practice window was an effort to gauge how he might perform after recovering from such a major injury, which included a nearly five-hour surgery. He noted, “You don’t have a crystal ball… Though we’re not seeing him this year, it was very beneficial to work through that process.”
The Dolphins, currently at 7-8, are vying for a wild-card spot in the postseason alongside Indianapolis and Cincinnati, needing to win their last two games while relying on other teams’ results for a chance to advance. McDaniel expressed the gravity of each game and maintained a commitment to the aspirations of the players, stating, “I don’t feel comfortable ever throwing a towel in.”
The team has also faced challenges with their other main pass rusher, Jaelan Phillips, who had returned from a previous injury only to have his season cut short this year by a torn right ACL in Week 4.
In Phillips’ absence, rookie linebacker Chop Robinson has stepped up, accumulating six sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits, despite starting slowly. While McDaniel recognized Robinson’s impressive performance, he clarified that the decision regarding Chubb’s activation was made independently of the rookie’s emergence, emphasizing the importance of respecting Chubb’s career and recovery process.
“No decision was made based upon anything but Bradley,” he affirmed. “He’s worked very, very hard; we made that decision independent of where we’re at in the season or where we’re at with the roster.”