Rookie tackle Jackson returns, but run game could have issues
The Miami Dolphins welcomed a prized rookie draft pick back to practice Wednesday, but they may have an issue with the running game that could affect their ability to extend their three-game win streak.
First the goodnews: First-round offensive tackle Austin Jackson returned to practice for the first time in a month since he suffered a foot injury against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 4.
Jackson, who is eligible to come off injured reserve, was working with his fellow offensive line teammates in the open portion of practice to the media as the Dolphins began their practice week ahead of Sunday’s road game against the Arizona Cardinals (5-2).
“He’s doing everything he can to get back as soon as he can,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said Wednesday of Jackson, who was thesecond of Miami’s three first-round picks in April’s draft, taken at No. 18.
“I’m not going to say he’s close or not close. I don’t want to put a timetable on it. He’s doing everything he can to get back. He’s making improvements.”
It is unclear when the Dolphins (4-3) plan to activate Jackson, who started the first four games at left tackle, and howthey plan to incorporate him back into the lineup after making changes to the line in his absence.
Without Jackson, the Dolphins moved veteran Jesse Davis from right tackle to left tackle and started rookie second-roundpick Robert Hunt at right tackle in the past three games.
The two players have held their own while protecting new starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and former starter Ryan Fitzpatrick, with veteran Ereck Flowers at left guard, veteran Ted Karras at center and rookie fourth-round pick Solomon Kindley at right guard.
While Davis has been one of the Dolphins’ most reliable veterans in his four seasons with the team, starting the past 38 games, it is conceivable to think Miami could bench him to get a further evaluation of Jackson, Hunt and Kindley together this season.
That train of thought would also coincide with Miami’s decision to start Tagovailoa over Fitzpatrick.
“We’ll make that determination when he gets out there [and] he’s cleared,” Dolphins offensive line coach Steve Marshall said of Jackson.
“He’s working hard. He’s in all the meetings. He hasn’t missed a beat mentally, but you’ve also got tomake sure he’s healthy and [he cango at] full speed.… Whenever Austin is ready — he’s chomping at the bit — and whenever that time is, then we’ll go from there.”
Eye on Dolphins’ injuries
The Dolphins may be considerably thin at running back for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals.
Along with running back Myles Gaskin resting a sprained knee that may sideline him for several games, veteran Matt Brieda was also absent from practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury.
New running back De Andre Washington, acquired at the trade deadline from the Kansas City Chiefs, will not clear NFL COVID-19 protocols before Sunday’s game.
So Tagovailoa could lead the Dolphins offense without its top two running backs.
The injuries may lend to veteran Jordan Howard returning to the active roster after being inactive the past three games. Although Howard has scored three goalline touchdowns this season, he has been in effective with 18 carries for 14 yards— an abysmal 0.8 yards-per-carry average.
Running back Patrick Laird, who suffered an ankle injury during a special teams play against the Rams last Sunday, practiced Wednesday and could vie for repetitions.
Laird had 62 rushes for 168 yards and a touchdown as a rookie last season. He was limited in practice Wednesday.
Miami also has running back Salvon Ahmed, a former Washington teammate of Gaskin, on its roster although he has yet to be active for a game this season. ...
Cornerback Xavien Howard, who is working his way back from a knee procedure he had done last November, isn’t on the Dolphins’ injury report for the first time all season. ...
Safety Eric Rowe made an appearance on the injury report because of a shoulder injury, but he practiced without limitations Wednesday. ...
Corner back Jamal Perry, who missed last week’s win over the Rams because of a foot injury, participated in practice on a limited basis.