Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert, safeties questionable for playoff game vs. Chiefs

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins will go into Saturday night’s playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Raheem Mostert questionable.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel indicated as much in a news conference ahead of the team’s Thursday drills, their only true practice before the 8 p.m. Saturday kickoff in below-freezing temperatures at Arrowhead Stadium.

“We haven’t had any setbacks with those two, and I’m feeling optimistic with both,” McDaniel said of the pair of offensive playmakers who missed the team’s final two regular-season games with their ankle injuries.

He said part of the reason they’re questionable, despite his optimism, is the trickle-down effect that having a player get hurt during the game has on — not only the affected unit — but several position groups with players have to slide into different special teams roles and such.

A return for Mostert and Waddle would provide an immense boost to a Miami offense that has sputtered in losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills with star wide receiver Tyreek Hill also playing through an ailing ankle and new quadriceps injury. Mostert and Waddle have combined for 2,213 yards of total offense this season.

Also questionable, according to McDaniel, are the Dolphins’ two starting safeties — Jevon Holland with two hurt knees and DeShon Elliott with a calf injury.

Elliott played all but six snaps against the Bills last Sunday night — and came down with an interception — despite hurting the calf in pregame warmups.

“He might as well have a post office box in the training room here and get his mail delivered there,” McDaniel said of Elliott for the time he has spent receiving medical treatment.

Holland played 27 snaps in his second game back from a four-game absence, but he had to ask out of the game with the two knees, which previously had MCL sprains, flared up.

If the one of the two safeties can’t play against the Chiefs, Brandon Jones would be counted on to start. If both, it could be Elijah Campbell up next.

McDaniel has previously said he doesn’t expect cornerback Xavien Howard to be available in Kansas City for a depleted secondary and defense overall, with the unit’s top three edge rushers sidelined for the season, along with inside linebacker Jerome Baker.

This story will be updated.