With a Jonathan Taylor trade still yet to happen, the Miami Dolphins' running back room will be shorthanded to begin 2023. Jeff Wilson Jr. is starting the season on the IR which means he'll miss a minimum of four games but based on head coach Mike McDaniel's latest update, Wilson may be out even longer.

Via The Palm Beach Post:

“It was a midsection injury compounded by some finger issues and then really, we just made the assessment that he couldn't protect himself and really be himself the way we know him to be.”

“He'll do everything he can and I definitely wouldn't be surprised if he would make a return this season, but we'll let his body tell us.”

Wilson Jr. was the Dolphins' second-best rusher in 2022 behind starter Raheem Mostert after coming over from the San Francisco 49ers. In eight contests, he ran for 392 yards and three scores for an average of 4.7 yards per carry, a similar output to his time at the beginning of the campaign with the Niners.

Obviously acquiring Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts at some point would help the Dolphins' run game immensely, but for now, they have to focus on who they have. Mostert is the main man, while rookies Chris Brooks and De'Von Achane are expected to see touches, along with Salvon Ahmed and Alex Ingold.

For Wilson, he'll watch from the sidelines for games against the Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. If all goes well, he can return for Week 5 on October 8th against the New York Giants.