Sieler likely to start vs. 49ers
DE Lawson out due to shoulder
Zach Sieler has been a terror on the Miami Dolphins defensive line the past few weeks, andthecareerbackup will likely get an opportunity to start his first game of the season Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Sieler is expected to replace Shaq Lawson, whosuffered a shoulder injury in Sunday’s 31-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Miami’s coaches apparently didn’t like what they saw from the veteran starting defensive end’s limited work in practice the past two days.
Playing without Lawson, who has 10 tackles, one sack and five quarterback hits in the first four games, means Sieler’s snap count will increase — and the Dolphins will likely need more contributions from Raekwon Davis and Jason Strowbridge, the two rookie defensive linemen drafted this offseason.
“As an individual and as a team, we’ve got to step up and help fill that role,” Seiler said when asked about Lawson’s absence. “He’s obviously a great player for us. No matter what, we’ve got to showwhatwe can do.”
Thedoor is open for Sieler to start opposite Emmanuel Oghab as Miami’s edge players and prove he can handle more than a platoon role. Sieler has been playing more snaps the past few weeks, working all along the defensive front, and has turned into one of the Dolphins’ most impactful defenders.
“I think when you watch Zach on the field, he plays with great effort, and that’s probably what sticks out most,” defensive coordinator JoshBoyer said of Sieler, who has eight tackles and half a sack in his 77 defensive snaps. “Obviously you love and respect that about him, and he’s constantly in coaches’ offices trying to get better, trying to watch more film. Then he goes out and practices as hard as he possibly can, and then he’s going to play as hard as he possibly can.”
Jones expected to make his return
Cornerback Byron Jones participated in his second consecutive practice without limitations, which means the Dolphins’ top free-agent addition is ready to return to the starting lineup.
Jones has missed the majority of the Dolphins’ past three games because of a strained groin he suffered in the first quarter of Miami’s 31-28 loss to Buffalo inWeek 2. He’s also been battling an Achilles strain.
InjuryUpdate
Tight end Durham Smythe (knee) didn’t practice all week and won’t play on Sunday, which likely means Adam Sheheen will serve as the leading in-line tight end, doing the majority of the blocking work while Mike Gesicki handles passcatching duties.
Sheheen, a former secondthe Dolphins acquired from the Chicago Bears this summer, has been on the field for a handful of snaps (73) this season. He’s only been targeted three times, catching one pass for four yards.
He’s started 14 of the 31 games he’s played the past four seasons, and has caught 27 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns.
Receiver Jakeem Grant missed Friday’s practice because of an illness that is not COVID-19 related and is questionable for Sunday’s game. Ifhedoesn’tplay, rookie receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. likely will have a larger role.