Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel, in Madrid, says Austin Jackson inches toward returning

MADRID — The Miami Dolphins have arrived in Spain. Coach Mike McDaniel held his first news conference in front of American and Spanish media, fielding questions you'd expect and a few you wouldn't.

The Dolphins play the Washington Commanders this weekend in Madrid, marking the first NFL game in Spain

Highlights:

McDaniel's early impressions of Spain?

"I've seen the hotel office that I have. But on the ride over here, it was absolutely gorgeous. So it reminds me a lot of Northern California in terms of just kind of the layout. And being a history major, there's a lot of things I'd like to see. ... We'll get there by Friday."

Dolphins have spacious practice facility

On Atletico Madrid's stadium, where the Dolphins will practice this week:

"Very impressed. You can tell it's first class for sure. We feel fortunate to have a first-class facility like this to prepare for an NFL game."

About the bond between McDaniel and Dan Quinn ...

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn has had a long friendship with McDaniel.

"Dan Quinn holds a special place in my heart, in my career. I think he was there at ground zero when I became sober and supported me."

What will visiting Spain do for team bonding?

On this experience and what he hopes the players get from it:

"Any sort of investment in people's lives, this is a place that lot of people never knew they'd be able to go to, necessarily. And so you do that with teammates."

McDaniel pointed out the major difference vs. a traditional day off back home when players might scatter.

Football or futbol? McDaniel speaks both

A reporter asked McDaniel about his knowledge of soccer, particularly if he speaks both "football" and "futbol."

"Futbol, yes. I'm an avid, I don't think I've missed the World Cup. That's as good as it gets in terms of people from all over the world, really -- people fighting for the World Cup and only being able to do that every four years. That engrained my passion for the sport."

Can the Dolphins build off the upset of the Bills?

McDaniel is understandably upbeat on the effect the upset of the Bills can have moving forward.

"Belief in the team is very high in the locker room."

How is McDaniel's Spanish?

McDaniel was asked about the Dolphins' goal of being "the team" for the Spanish-speaking world.

He said he can understand Spanish but "I do the language an injustice" when I try to speak it.

We may see Austin Jackson soon

Right tackle Austin Jackson's window to return off injured reserve will open today.

Jackson suffered a toe injury in the opener at Indianapolis but now has a 21-day window to be activated.

Cornerback Rasul Douglas (ankle, foot) is working his way back to get ready for this game. He isn't practicing Wednesday.

Linebacker Chop Robinson is on track to get full clearance off concussion protocol.

Center Aaron Brewer, who has a lower-body injury, won't practice Wednesday. "He's working through a game issue. ... I feel very optimistic for him."

On McDaniel's approach with players:

On how he makes tough decisions while being a players' coach:

"On the front end, you have to earn their respect and regard."

How can Tua Tagovailoa get back in top form?

On how quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can play with "conviction" again:

"I think last game he played very convicted. How did he do that? It's very simple, going through every play with the principles we teach."

McDaniel added, "His game is where the team needs when he plays convicted."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel says Tua Tagovailoa is playing 'convicted'