Dolphins O-linemen Kion Smith sidelined by knee injury in preseason opener
Offensive lineman Kion Smith suffered what appeared to be a worrisome left knee injury in the first quarter of the Miami Dolphins’ preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
Smith, a former Fayetteville State standout the Dolphins have spent two years investing in on the team’s practice squad and the 53-man roster, had his knee collide with fellow lineman Ryan Hayes helmet at the conclusions of a pressure he allowed on a third-and-10 play where quarterback Skylar Thompson rushed a pass that was incomplete.
Smith, who is battling with numerous Dolphins offensive lineman for a spot on Miami’s 53-man roster, or the team’s practice squad, started the game at left guard, but he generally played left tackle.
Smith moved inside for this game because the Dolphins started second-round pick Patrick Paul at left tackle against the Falcons, and it’s possible that Miami’s coaches were exploring the possibility he might be able to fill-in as the starting left guard when Liam Eichenberg’s possibly forced to play center because of a hand injury Aaron Brewer suffered in Wednesday’s joint practice against the Falcons.
The extent of Smith’s knee injury isn’t known, but the team’s doctors could be seen doing a check for the stability of his Anterior Cruciate Ligament on the field. An ACL injury would be the worst case scenario because that means Smith’s season would be over, and he’d be placed on injured reserve immediately.
Injuries like the one Smith suffered Friday night are part of the reason the Dolphins, and most NFL teams, no longer play prominent players in the first of three preseason games.
NFL starters typically only play in the second preseason game because they get most of their work during the joint practices that lead up to each preseason game.
The Dolphins host the Washington Commanders for a joint practice on Thursday, two days before Saturday’s second preseason game against the Commanders, and Miami end the preseason against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 23, and a joint practice that Wednesday leads into the game.
This story was originally published August 9, 2024 at 8:08 PM.
