Miami Dolphins cornerback JuJu Brents, whose strong play has been a recent eye-opener, is likely out for the season due to a foot injury sustained in Sunday’s 16-13 overtime victory over the Washington Commanders in Madrid, Spain, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.

Brents, the 2023 second-round pick by Indianapolis, was awarded to the Dolphins off waivers on Aug. 27. He has 14 tackles, one pass defended and one fumble recovery this season while making two starts, the past two games, and appearing in seven games.

“We’re taking a couple more looks at it but it doesn’t look optimistic for the season,” McDaniel said.

Brents’ injury continues a string of injuries at cornerback this season, a list that began in training camp with nickel/slot cornerback Kader Kohou (knee) and continued into the regular season with Storm Duck (knee) and Kendall Sheffield.

Veteran Rasul Douglas is battling a foot/ankle ailment, which opened the door for Brents to start, and rookie Jason Marshall Jr. (hamstring) was sidelined for a few games but has since returned.

Brents’ absence will likely provide opportunities for cornerbacks such as Ethan Bonner and Isaiah Johnson, who is on the practice squad, to get more opportunities.

Players likely to return, but who?

Among the players eligible to return from injured reserve after the bye week are tight end Darren Waller (pectoral), right guard James Daniels (pectoral), center Andrew Meyer (elbow) and kicker Jason Sanders (hip). Center-guard Liam Eichenberg (knee), who is on the physically-unable-to-perform list, doesn’t seem as though his return is imminent.

McDaniel was coy on who could return.

“We’re going to have a good collection of guys coming back,” he said. “We do have some time before the next week practices occur and in that time we’ll be settling some windows that could or could not open, but there could be some activity.”

Turnover margin and points against

The Dolphins (4-7), who have won the turnover battle in five games this season, including all three wins in their past four games, and are now minus-5 in turnover margin, tied for 25th in the league.

McDaniel’s favorite statistic is turnover margin, which he says is the best indicator of wins and losses. The Dolphins are plus-three in turnover margin in their past two games, both wins.

“That’s been a big deal,” McDaniel said.

The Dolphins, who have allowed just 13 points in each of the past two games, are allowing 24.5 points per game for the season, which ranks 21st in the league. Points allowed is defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s favorite stat.

Doing better after bye

The Dolphins must endeavor to be better in their first three games after the bye week, a stretch during which they’re 4-5 (.444) in the previous three seasons under McDaniel.

Last season the Dolphins were 0-3 immediately after the bye. In 2023, they were 3-0 in their first three games after the bye, and in 2022 they were 1-2 in their first three games after the bye.

McDaniel said Monday he feels good about how this year’s team will play after the bye week.

“I’m not as nervous about the momentum altering,” he said.

The home crowd

It’s been relatively sparse at Hard Rock Stadium for the past couple of games, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Dolphins’ recent surge affects the crowd at the New Orleans game.

Instead of about 90% or more of the crowd at Hard Rock supporting the Dolphins, for the past two games it’s been more 70% to 75% cheering the home team.

Of course, it’s no surprise that Baltimore and Buffalo fans turned out in big numbers at Hard Rock Stadium because they have strong fan bases that travel, and coming to South Florida in November represents a great break in the weather.

New Orleans fans don’t travel well, and the weather there is about the same as it is in South Florida at this time of year.