James Daniels Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Saints vs Dolphins game on Nov 30, 2025 with our National Football League injury report.Oct 6, 2025
Not close to return
Head coach Mike McDaniel relayed Monday that Daniels still needs "several weeks" to return from a pectoral injury, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels was placed on injured reserve following the Dolphins' Week 1 loss to the Colts due to a pectoral injury. He has been sidelined for the four games required when placed on IR, but the 2018 second-rounder has a long way to go before being cleared to return. Cole Strange has started at right guard in each of Miami's last two games and should continue to do so for as long as Daniels is out of action.
Sep 9, 2025
Placed on injured reserve
The Dolphins placed Daniels (pectoral) on injured reserve Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Daniels suffered a pectoral injury during the Dolphins' Week 1 loss to the Colts on Sunday. The injury isn't considered season-ending, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, but the 2018 second-rounder will be required to miss at least the next four games, which makes Week 6 against the Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 12 the earliest he is eligible to return. Kion Smith will likely take over as the Dolphins' starting right guard in Daniels' absence.
Sep 8, 2025
In line to miss time
Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Monday that Daniels is expected to miss a couple of weeks due to a pectoral injury, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels pectoral injury was feared to be season-ending, so McDaniel's comments Monday come as great news for Miami. The veteran offensive lineman signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Dolphins in March after spending the last three years of his career in Pittsburgh. Kion Smith is likely to step in and start at right guard in Daniels' stead.
Sep 7, 2025
Won't return Sunday
Daniels (pectoral) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Colts, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels suffered a pectoral injury in the first quarter, which is severe enough for him to not return Sunday. Kion Smith will serve as the Dolphins' right guard for the rest of the game due to Daniels' injury.
Sep 7, 2025
Exits with pec issue Sunday
Daniels is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 1 game against Indianapolis due to a pectoral injury.
ANALYSIS
Daniels departed in the first quarter and was subsequently deemed questionable to return. Kion Smith has entered the game at right guard in Daniels' stead.
Sep 7, 2025
Cleared to play vs. Indy
Daniels (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Colts.
ANALYSIS
Daniels looked to be trending in the wrong direction after missing Friday's practice due to an ankle injury. However, the 2018 second-rounder has been cleared to play Sunday and will serve as the Dolphins' starting right guard while Kion Smith serves in a backup role.
Sep 5, 2025
Could play in Week 1
Daniels (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Colts, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels downgraded from limited practice participation Thursday to a DNP on Friday, so it appears he's trending in the wrong direction ahead of Miami's regular-season opener. If the veteran offensive lineman is unable to suit up Sunday, Kion Smith is expected to step in and start at right guard.
Jul 31, 2025
Returns to practice
Daniels (Achilles) was cleared to start practicing Wednesday, Claude Smalls of the Miami Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
After suffering a torn Achilles tendon last September, Daniels has finally returned to the practice field. The 27-year-old signed a three-year $24 million deal with Miami in March and started all four games he appeared in with Pittsburgh last season. He will look to improve a Miami offensive line that has been known to be inconsistent in years past.
Jun 17, 2025
Still finding role with new team
Coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that Daniels (Achilles), who was a limited participant in mandatory minicamp and has not yet been cleared for training camp, is "very capable" of contributing at either left or right guard, Kaitlyn Pohly of the Miami Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
McDaniel said "when you have a rookie in the mix, you have to settle that first," referring to 2025 second-rounder Jonah Savaiinaea, who played all along the Sun Devils' O-line but appears to be settling into a guard role with the Dolphins. Daniels, meanwhile, is rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered Week 4 of 2024 and said he expects to be ready for the start of the regular season, but he's only been cleared to handle individual drills so far.
Jun 10, 2025
Limited participant at minicamp
Daniels (Achilles0 was a limited participant in Miami's minicamp session Tuesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels is now one step closer to making his return from a torn Achilles suffered in September of last year. He only managed to participate in individual work during Tuesday's session but is expected to be fully healthy in time for the start of the regular season.
Mar 26, 2025
Expects to be ready for Week 1
Daniels (Achilles) said Wednesday that he expects to be fully healthy for Week 1 of the 2025 regular season, C. Isaiah Smalls of the Miami Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels missed all but the first four games of the 2024 campaign due to an Achilles tear, though he did start all four of his appearances as the Steelers' top right guard. If he's indeed able to return to full health without any setbacks this offseason, Daniel's presence projects as a notable boost for Miami's needy offensive line. He's capable to starting at either guard position, as well as potentially at center.
Mar 10, 2025
Signs with Miami
The Dolphins are slated to sign Daniels (Achilles) to a three-year, $24 million contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels started the first four games of last season at right guard for the Steelers, but he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4 and missed the remainder of the campaign. Daniels played right guard in his three seasons with Pittsburgh, but he also has experience at left guard and center. The offensive line as a whole is a major need area for the Dolphins. In addition to Daniels, the Dolphins also agreed to terms with Larry Borom on Monday.
Oct 1, 2024
Placed on IR
The Steelers placed Daniels on injured reserve Tuesday due to an Achilles tear, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels tore his ACL during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Colts. The 2018 second-round pick will shift his attention towards rehab and recovery ahead of the 2025 season. Spencer Anderson is the next man up at right guard for the Steelers.
Sep 30, 2024
Suffers season-ending injury
Daniels suffered an Achilles tear in Sunday's loss to the Colts, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels will now miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign to recover from the injury, and the Steelers will be without their starter at right guard since the 2022 season. Spencer Anderson, who filled in after Daniel's left against Indianapolis, will likely continue filling in at the position moving forward.
Sep 29, 2024
Will not return
Daniels (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Colts, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels exited early in the first quarter and was originally considered questionable to return. Spencer Anderson will now finish out the game at right guard.
Sep 29, 2024
Leaves with injury
Daniels (ankle) has exited Sunday's game against the Colts, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels' exit leaves the Steelers down their starter at right guard. While he's out of action, Spencer Anderson is filling in at the position.
Oct 18, 2023
Set for return
Daniels (groin) was a full participant at the Steelers' practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official website reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels missed the last two games while nursing a groin injury, but his full practice seems to suggest he'll be ready to go following the team's bye week. He'll return to his starting role at right guard against the Rams on Sunday.
Oct 6, 2023
Out again
Daniels (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against Baltimore, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The 26-year-old will miss his second consecutive game after suffering a groin injury during the Steelers' Week 2 win over the Raiders. Nate Herbig is expected to continue starting at right guard in Daniels' stead.
Sep 29, 2023
Out Week 4
Daniels (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The 26-year-old suffered a groin injury during Pittsburgh's Week 3 win over the Raiders, and it seems as if the injury is more severe than the team originally thought. With Daniels missing time, backup lineman Nate Herbig is expected to get the nod at right guard this coming Sunday.
Sep 26, 2023
Suffers groin injury
Daniels is dealing with a groin injury after Sunday night's 23-18 win over the Raiders, Nick Farabaugh of Steelersnow.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The 26-year-old spent four years with Chicago before coming over to Pittsburgh during the 2022 offseason, starting all 20 games that the Steelers have played since. Daniels' injury is expected to be minor and the team believes he'll be ready for Week 4's contest against Houston.
Sep 6, 2023
Full participant in practice
Daniels (undisclosed) was not listed on the Steelers' injury report Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels was sidelined for Pittsburgh's preseason finale due to an undisclosed injury. While the exact nature of this issue was never revealed, the right guard should now a full-go to begin his age-26 season.
Aug 24, 2023
Misses final preseason game
Daniels is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, Alan Saunders of PittsburghSportsNow.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Thursday that Daniels' injury is minor, but didn't go into depth on what the injury actually is. The veteran guard came over from Chicago last offseason and started all 17 games for the Steelers in 2022. Expect the 25-year-old to be an integral part of Pittsburgh's offensive line ahead of the coming season.
Mar 15, 2022
Heads to Pittsburgh
Daniels agreed to a three-year, $26.5 million contract with the Steelers on Tuesday, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels, the 39th overall pick in the 2018 Draft, started all 38 games he appeared in during the past three seasons with the Bears. He joins recently acquired Mason Cole as new additions along Pittsburgh's offensive line for the 2022 campaign.
Aug 23, 2021
Back from quad injury
Daniels (quadriceps) was able to practice Monday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels has been limited throughout camp by a quad injury, but the starting offensive lineman has hopefully put the injury behind him for good. If he doesn't suffer any setbacks in practice during the week, Daniels could see some action in Saturday's preseason finale against Tennessee.
Aug 18, 2021
Returns to practice Wednesday
Daniels (quadriceps) resumed practicing Wednesday, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Daniels missed nearly two weeks of training camp practice as he rehabbed from a quadriceps injury. The left guard missed a majority of last season with a pectoral tear, but when healthy, the 2018 second-round pick has served as a starter along the Bears' offensive line.
Aug 6, 2021
Not participating in practice
Daniels (quad) was sidelined during practice Friday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
The left guard missed a majority of last season when he went down with a season ending pectoral tear. Unfortunately for Daniels, he can't seem to shake the injury bug as the fourth-year guard is now dealing with a quad injury. If Daniels ends up missing time then Cody Whitehair would likely fill his role at guard.
Oct 14, 2020
Shifts to IR
The Bears placed Daniels on injured reserve Wednesday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
This move wasn't a surprise, as the Iowa product suffered a season-ending pectoral tear in last Thursday's win over Tampa Bay. Daniels will now rest up and get healthy for the 2021 campaign, as the Bears will look to lean on Alex Bars to start at left guard for the remainder of the season.
Oct 8, 2020
MRI upcoming
Daniels (pectoral) will undergo an MRI but the fear is he could miss the remainder of the season, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Should Daniels miss the remainder of the season it would be a sizable loss for the Bears' offensive line, in which case Alex Bars would likely slot in as the starting left guard.
Oct 8, 2020
Questionable to return
Daniels is dealing with a pectoral injury and is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Buccaneers.
ANALYSIS
Look for Alex Bars to slot in at left guard for as long as Daniels is sidelined. Before exiting the contest, Daniels had not missed an offensive snap all season for Chicago.
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