MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who is in concussion protocol, didn’t practice Thursday. Waddle was at practice Wednesday, but didn’t participate so it’s unclear whether Thursday represents a setback.

Waddle’s status for Sunday’s game against Denver is unclear and won’t be known until the final injury report is released around 4 p.m. Friday. 

Running back Salvon Ahmed, who is suffering from a groin injury, also didn’t practice Thursday.

Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead, who has missed both of the first two games this season with ankle, back and knee issues, was a limited participant Thursday for the second consecutive day. Often teams look at how a player responds the day after a practice so the fact Armstead was practicing Thursday, after practicing Wednesday, is encouraging.

Additionally, wide receiver Tyreek Hill (ankle) and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (ankle) were both full participants Thursday after being limited Wednesday.

Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (back) was limited for the second consecutive day.

Others who were limited Thursday are safety Elijah Campbell (knee), defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (ankle), and tight ends Julian Hill (ankle) and Tyler Kroft (ankle).

Cornerback Xavien Howard, who got a veteran rest day Wednesday, was a full participant Thursday and taken off the injury report.

Waddle has only missed one game in his career, and that was a game against the New York Jets in his rookie year due to COVID-19.

Waddle was injured when he took a fourth-quarter hit from Patriots linebacker Marte Mapu, for which Mapu drew an unnecessary roughness penalty.

If Waddle doesn’t play, the Dolphins have options. They could increase the workload for fellow wide receivers Braxton Berrios, Erik Ezukanma and River Cracraft, they could activate wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., or they could elevate wide receiver Robbie Chosen.

Also, the Dolphins could throw more passes to running back Raheem Mostert or tight end Durham Smythe, or they could give rookie running back De’Von Achane a larger role in the offense.

Nothing to see here…keep moving

Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said the Dolphins aren’t close to auditioning kickers in an effort to replace kicker Jason Sanders, who missed a 55-yard field goal attempt against New England, missed an extra point against the Los Angeles Chargers, and had a 49-yard field goal attempt blocked at New England.

Crossman said he still has faith in Sanders, who is now 2 of 7 in field goal attempts of 50 or more yards dating to last season, and 4 of 13 dating back to 2021. 

The blocked field goal last week featured Patriots safety Brenden Schooler lining up wide right (the kicking team’s right), then running, and timing the snap so that he was in perfect position to block the kick. 

“I think you’ll see teams look at it but again, it’s the risk-reward,” Crossman said. “You may see it on more long-down situations so that if you are offsides you’re not giving away a first down, you’re just giving away five yards of field position.”

Crossman said New England’s history and familiarity with punter Jake Bailey, the Dolphins’ holder and a former New England punter/holder, had something to do with New England’s success on the blocked field goal attempt. 

Phillips should be OK

Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips missed last week’s 24-17 victory at New England due to a back injury, but he practiced Wednesday and Thursday and said he feels “great,” which means he should play Sunday against Denver.

“Stuff happens,” Phillips said. “I just moved weird and my back kind of spasmed on me, so I spent the 48 hours after it happened doing everything I could to get right for the game.

“Frankly, I felt pretty good to go, but obviously it’s a long season. Got to play everything smart. So I think ultimately it gave my back some rest and now I’m feeling great, feeling healthy, ready to go.”

Armstead likes what he’s seen from Lamm

Veteran backup left tackle Kendall Lamm has been pressed into action because Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead has missed each of the first two games. Lamm has done a good job blocking against the likes of Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and New England linebacker Matthew Judon. All have been to Pro Bowls.

Lamm has even impressed Armstead, who said he’s been impressed by “everything” Lamm has done.

“He’s an ultimate pro,” Armstead said. “He’s a vet, battle-tested, he’s strong, he’s smart. Consistency. That’s probably the biggest thing you look for in an offensive line play and he gives you that.

“He’s consistent. He’s just a worker. Old-school, old-style. He’s an ultimate pro.”

The QB-center snap issue

Offensive coordinator Frank Smith said the issues with the quarterback-center exchange, or snap, are on both center Connor Williams and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. There have been at least four bad snaps in the first two games.

“In any relationship where it’s such a close personal situation, I don’t think it’s just necessarily one guy,” he said.

But Smith said it’s not at the point where they’ve told either player the situation must be fixed immediately.

Smith said he’s hopeful the issue is just a memory in a couple of weeks.