Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel on 'frustrated' Steve Ross, injury updates

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met with reporters a day after the 27-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers, which dropped Miami to 1-4.

Next up is a visit by the Los Angeles Chargers.

Highlights:

Why the freeze-out of Darren Waller in the second half?

Tight end Darren Waller was targeted five times and caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown in the first half. He was not targeted again.

"There was a couple of things involved with that -- the lack of productivity on first and second down. ... They recognized his production and they were giving him additional attention. It kind of moved the ball to other spots."

McDaniel added, "Back-to-back weeks, he's been 100 percent on his assignments."

Is Austin Jackson ready to return?

Right tackle Austin Jackson has not played since the opener in Indianapolis because of a foot injury. He's eligible to come off injured reserve for the Chargers game.

McDaniel said it'll be several weeks before Jackson, Liam Eichemberg, Andrew Meyer or James Daniels can return.

McDaniel: Tape showed there are solutions

McDaniel said "there were some solutions that I saw on tape."

He added, "The worst thing is if I didn't see solutions on tape.

"It's frustrating because we hear a lot of talking and we need doing."

Specific to the run defense, which gave up 206 yards to Rico Dowdle, McDaniel said he didn't feel "an energy letdown."

"There are solutions found by people trusting each other and allowing their teammates to make plays."

"Too many times, guys were overlapping responsibilities."

Are top draftees really ready to play?

On rookie top picks DT Kenneth Grant and G Jonah Savaiinaea:

"They're made of the right stuff and within that there's a belief in those guys that they'll get through the other side and feel extremely happy about their play and it's going to be earned.

" ... Bottom line is it's not always as obvious as it seems."

Will playing time be shuffled? Will the starting lineup change?

"There's always a timeline with things like that. Right now I'm focusing my energy on the exact whys of the failure."

Steve Ross 'frustrated' after loss to Panthers

McDaniel talked with Steve Ross after the game.

"He was really frustrated just like I was. And we talked about the challenge ahead, to get ready for the Chargers. That was kind of the extent of it."

More injury updates

LB Tyrel Dodson is in concussion protocol and CB Cornell Armstrong will be out.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel says loss leaves Steve Ross 'frustrated'