Tony McDaniel injury: Joe Philbin anxious for Dolphins DT's return

Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin shared with the media Thursday that he's quite excited to see defensive tackle Tony McDaniel back on the field.

In Thursday's news conference, Philbin said that the coaching staff is "anxious" to see McDaniel play. Via the Sun Sentinel, the first-year head coach said he is also surely hoping that McDaniel can provide a boost in the pass rush department from the interior of the line:

"The more times you can get to the quarterback and make him move in the pocket, disrupt his timing and the quarterback and the receiver timing, it just helps immensely. It's a huge part of it."

The Dolphins have been without McDaniel since the season opener in which the knee injury flared back up and kept him out of much of camp. McDaniel underwent arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome knee after Week 1 but has felt good in practice all week and should be ready to go come Sunday.

McDaniel had 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 12 games last year with the Miami Dolphins.