Dolphins’ offensive line injuries continue to mount vs. Patriots. What to know
The Dolphins were left thin on the offensive line after additional injuries in their 31-17 home win against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Right guard Robert Hunt and left tackle Kendall Lamm left in the first half because of injuries.
Both players sustained their injuries in the second quarter. Hunt injured his hamstring, while Lamm later injured his abdomen with less than a minute until halftime. Both headed to the locker room and were announced as questionable to return.
Lamm later returned for the start of the second half but Hunt, who rejoined his teammates on the sideline, did not.
The injuries forced Kion Smith to enter the game at left tackle, while Robert Jones moved into Hunt’s spot. Jones was splitting time at left guard with Lester Cotton, who got the start for Isaiah Wynn, who is on injured reserve because of a quad injury.
Miami entered its Week 8 matchup with New England without three starting offensive linemen: Wynn, left tackle Terron Armstead, who is also on IR, and starting center Connor Williams, who was active but did not start after missing the last two games because of a groin injury. Liam Eichenberg, who has filled in for Williams, got his third consecutive start.
McDaniel said Williams suiting up but not starting was a “protective measure” to avoid reaggravating his injury.
“We had him there in case catastrophe happened and we were close to that,” McDaniel said, “or if we had to shuffle — there were a couple variables where we might have to shuffle Liam out of the center position if certain people got hurt.”
When asked whether Armstead, who is eligible to return for the Chiefs game, would return to practice in the coming days, McDaniel said a decision would be made with the training staff and general manager Chris Grier.
This story was originally published October 29, 2023 at 2:43 PM.
