MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins offensive line was an injured mess Sunday, but there might be a very big fix returning soon.
Left tackle Terron Armstead is on track to practice this week for the first time since September. Armstead has spent the last four games on injured reserve with an ankle issue, but the Dolphins are poised to open his 21-day practice window beginning Wednesday.
It’s unclear if he’ll be available to play against the Kansas City Chiefs this week in Germany, but even if he doesn’t, Armstead’s return to action is not far off.
Updates on the Miami Dolphins’ Injured Offensive Line
“We’ll probably be evaluating Terron Armstead’s performance in another country other than the United States this week,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said coyly Monday. “So that’s pending, yes. And all signs point to evaluating that which will require some moving and shaking as we get used to.”
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Armstead was supposed to be the cornerstone of a talented offensive line but has appeared in just two games this season due to a series of injuries.
Backup Kendall Lamm has done an admirable job as Armstead’s replacement, but he, like several Dolphins linemen, is also banged up. Lamm left the Dolphins’ 31-17 victory over the New England Patriots with an abdomen injury but returned in the second half and finished the game.
Robert Hunt, meanwhile, did not. The Dolphins’ starting right guard strained his hamstring Sunday and, despite doing his best to return to the game, simply could not.
“It is a kind of a day-to-day evaluation,” McDaniel said of Hunt. “We’ll see how it progresses. But [we’re] evaluating the severity of it kind of letting it cool down for a second.”
After Hunt left the game, Lester Cotton moved from left guard to right, and Robert Jones played left guard.
MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
And at center, Liam Eichenberg logged every snap. Starter Connor Williams was active but did not see the field. A groin injury has allowed him to see the field in just one of the last five games.
But it’s entirely possible that Armstead, Williams, and Hunt all play Sunday — which would give the Dolphins their healthiest offensive line in weeks.
More Dolphins Injury News
- Safety Jevon Holland remains in the concussion protocol but continues to progress, McDaniel said. Logic suggests Holland has a good chance to play Sunday.
- That’s good news, considering Brandon Jones got rocked on the Dolphins’ last defensive play and was evaluated for a concussion. More will be known about Jones’ status on Wednesday.
- Tight end Durham Smythe was spotted in a walking boot in the locker room Monday, but McDaniel downplayed the severity of the injury and left open the possibility he will play.
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