Dolphins face another OL injury vs. Chiefs. And starters return for Germany game
The nonstop shuffling along the Dolphins’ offensive line continued Sunday with another injury during the team’s 21-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Frankfurt, Germany.
Robert Jones, who started at left guard, injured his knee with about 10 minutes left in the game and did not return. Jones was listed as questionable to return and was later carted to the locker room.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel did not have an update after the game on the severity of Jones’ injury.
“I was encouraged when I was out there on the field for something super severe,” he said, “but we’ll have to get some more information on that one.”
Jones was making his first start of the season after rotating snaps with Lester Cotton at left guard against the New England Patriots in Week 8. Jones then settled in at left guard after right guard Robert Hunt’s hamstring injury. Cotton took over at right guard and started with Hunt inactive.
Liam Eichenberg, who had started the past three games at center for Connor Williams, entered the game for Jones.
Dolphins get key starters back from injury
Multiple key starters returned to the lineup on Sunday.
Along with Williams, left tackle Terron Armstead, cornerback Xavien Howard and center Connor Williams were all active after multiple-game absences because of injury.
It’s Armstead’s first game since a Week 4 knee injury forced him to miss four games on injured reserve. It was Williams’ first start since Week 5. Williams was active against the Patriots but did not start as a “protective measure.”
With Howard returning, the Dolphins had their entire starting defense on the field for the first time all season, headlined by the Howard-Jalen Ramsey duo in the secondary.
Defensive backs Nik Needham and Justin Bethel, wide receiver Braxton Berrios and tight end Durham Smythe were also active after being listed as questionable to play.
The Dolphins deactivated the following players: Hunt, safety Brandon Jones (concussion protocol), quarterback Skylar Thompson (emergency QB), wide receiver Robbie Chosen and cornerback Kelvin Joseph.
This story was originally published November 5, 2023 at 8:46 AM.
