Dolphins offensive line nearing full strength. And more notes from training camp
For the first week of Dolphins training camp, Miami’s offensive line has been practicing without starting left tackle Terron Armstead.
Armstead began camp on the active/physically unable to perform list because of what coach Mike McDaniel called “clean up work” on his knee. But Monday’s practice indicated Armstead is close to a return to the field.
The Dolphins activated Armstead from the PUP list and although he did not practice, he was in uniform for the first session with pads, wearing a league-mandated Guardian cap on his helmet. He did not appear to have pads underneath his uniform.
Armstead did not participate in spring workouts but McDaniel expressed confidence that he would return at some point in training camp. The 32-year-old Armstead missed four games in 2022 as he dealt with injuries to his toe, knee, pec and hip.
Armstead is the second offensive lineman to come off the PUP list, along with Isaiah Wynn. Armstead’s readdition will be a welcome sight to an offensive line that has struggled at times to block the Dolphins’ defensive front. However, the various units were able to open lanes for multiple sizable gains, including a long run by Myles Gaskin during team drills on Monday.
Right guard Robert Hunt said the offensive line is benefiting from being in the same offensive scheme.
“It’s a lot smoother because it is Year 2,” he said. “And a lot of this stuff is repeat things. Everything is repeat. All the plays are repeat. All you’ve got to do is tune up the small little things of your game. You work on that and then everything else should be easy because it’s Year 2, same system.”
WHO’S HOT
Inside linebacker David Long Jr. The entire Dolphins’ front seven had a good practice on the first day with pads but Long was a standout. He showed his sideline-to-sideline speed, tracking wide receiver Tyreek Hill on a carry, and then displayed his physicality, stonewalling multiple ball carriers near the line of scrimmage.
“I don’t know who’s going to have the orange jersey [given to the best practice player] next, but my guess is him,” fellow inside linebacker Jerome Baker said after practice.
WHO’S NOT
The Dolphins’ young tight ends. Sixth-round pick Elijah Higgins appeared to make his best play of training camp, leaping for a downfield pass from quarterback Skylar Thompson over cornerback Justin Bethel. However, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio threw a yellow flag and motioned for offensive pass interference on Higgins, who appeared to push. The longtime coordinator has been seen doubling as a ref during practices.
And undrafted rookie Julian Hill had the opportunity to haul in a short catch during team drills but wasn’t able to bring in the pass after being shoved by inside linebacker Duke Riley.
The Dolphins offense isn’t one that features its tight ends — and Higgins and Hill are both making respective transitions from college — but neither has distinguished themselves from Miami’s free-agent additions, Eric Saubert and Tyler Kroft.
NEXT PRACTICE
The Dolphins will hold their next practice on Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. The session is open to fans who have previously reserved tickets.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“As far as I can tell, there have been no negative tweets to Tyreek.” — McDaniel on new addition Eli Apple, who had a since-squashed online spat with Tyreek as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals
This story was originally published July 31, 2023 at 3:17 PM.
