MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins came away from Sunday’s 42-21 win over the Carolina Panthers with cornerback Xavien Howard and running back Chris Brooks among those to suffer injuries.

Howard, the four-time Pro Bowl selection, exited with a groin injury. Brooks, the undrafted rookie tailback who was in at the end to run out the clock, hurt his ankle in the final minutes.

The outlook on Monday from coach Mike McDaniel indicated that Howard’s situation appears less severe.

“I would say that X is more day-to-day. Chris is more week-to-week,” McDaniel said. “There’s some swelling that has to go down with Chris before we can totally get the timeline or the rough estimation.

“We’re going to see how X calms down and responds to treatment.”

If Howard has to miss the upcoming matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, with Miami still also awaiting Jalen Ramsey’s full recovery from July knee surgery, the Dolphins would be down to Kader Kohou as their No. 1 cornerback. Eli Apple, who has struggled as Miami used at least five defensive backs on virtually ever play on defense, plus Parry Nickerson and/or Justin Bethel would be counted on more — along with the possibility of rookie Cam Smith after he played his first defensive snaps late in the Panther game. This against a Philadelphia receiving corps led by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

“There was some definite development,” McDaniel said of the cornerback play behind Howard against Carolina. “There were a couple plays that, from an onlooker, you could blame some of the perimeter guys for some completions that more had to do with underneath coverage issues. Overall, I thought they competed and played pretty well. I thought that there was a lot of pressure that we got on the quarterback that was a result of coverage.”

If Brooks has to miss several weeks, injured reserve could be an option. Veteran running back Jeff Wilson Jr. is already approaching a season debut off IR from preseason ribs and finger injuries and could take the spot.

“I think that he was prepared enough to play,” said McDaniel, who opted instead to use the available roster spot from rookie running back De’Von Achane’s placement on IR on the activation of reserve offensive lineman Robert Jones on Saturday.

“Going into the game plan and with regard to the entire team and the scope of what was going on with the team, it kind of necessitated us to have that spot directed somewhere else. I think he was more than prepared. We’re very aware of the windows. We just have to be patient.”

Among other Dolphins to suffer injuries Sunday, linebacker Jerome Baker had a back ailment but he returned to the game.

Phillips snap count

Dolphins edge defender Jaelan Phillips did not start in his return Sunday from an oblique injury. He played 30 defensive plays, accounting for 43 percent of snaps.

“We were trying to be concerted with the amount that he got as to not overuse him,” McDaniel said. “When you get really good players on the field, your temptation is to just let them go. I know he wanted even more involvement than he got, speaking to who he is as a player and the type of mentality he brings.”

Andrew Van Ginkel, who held onto starting duties for Phillips’ first game back, was on 42 snaps.

Phillips had one tackle and one hit on Panthers quarterback Bryce Young in the game. He had missed the previous two games with the oblique ailment and the Sept. 17 win at New England with a bad back.

Eichenberg’s rebound

McDaniel was impressed with how Dolphins backup center Liam Eichenberg responded in a second start at his new position.

“I saw really just him handling that position,” the coach said as Eichenberg filled in for the second time in three weeks for starter Connor Williams but struggled last time out in Buffalo. “I thought his play, he blocked people well, but he also did his part to help others block their guys as well with appropriate communication decisiveness.”

Williams returned to action for the Oct. 8 win over the New York Giants, but the residual effects from that game, according to McDaniel, caused him to sit out the past week maintaining his groin injury.

Williams “had a good weekend,” McDaniel said, but he added he “wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t practice Wednesday.”