Rookie leaves field early with injury
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins rookie offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg left Thursday’s practice with what appeared to be a right leg injury.
Eichenberg, the Dolphins’ 2021 thirdround pick, is competing to be a starter on the offensive line and was expected to start Sunday’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals at right tackle.
At this point, his status for Sunday’s game, where he would have replaced veteran offensive lineman Jesse Davis, is uncertain. Coach Brian Flores said Davis won’t play against the Bengals,
Eichenberg spent most of training camp splitting his snaps between left guard and right tackle. He held the starting left guard spot until suffering a shoulder injury in Miami’s joint practices against the Chicago Bears two weeks ago, but hasn’t been able to retake the position from Solomon Kindley since.
If Eichenberg doesn’t play against the Bengals, Greg Little, who the Dolphins traded a 2022 seventh-round pick to acquire earlier this month from the Carolina Panthers, and Larnel Coleman, a 2021 seventh-round pick, are expected to handle the tackle roles against the Bengals.
Adam Pankey, who began camp as an offensive tackle, missed the entire week of practice with an undisclosed injury, and is doubtful to play against the Bengals.
Injured receivers being eased back: Even though most of the Dolphins’ injury-decimated receiver unit has been practicing this week, most of them have had their participation limited.
Will Fuller, who missed most of training camp with an undisclosed injury, has only done individual work on days that aren’t walk-through sessions this week.
DeVante Parker, who is reportedly nursing a hamstring injury, participated in one team period on Thursday. But he’s also wearing a red, noncontact jersey.
Preston Williams, who is coming back
from a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, participated in the previous two practices, but missed Thursday’s session.
Albert Wilson, who had a dominant first week of practice before shutting it down because of what has been described as a soft tissue injury, hasn’t worked at all for a second straight week.
It’s unlikely that any of those four receivers will participate in Sunday’s game, leaving Jaylen Waddle, Mack Hollins, Jakeem Grant, Malcolm Perry, Kirk Merritt, Kai Locksley and Khalil McClain to line up at receiver for quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Reid Sinnett as Tua Tagovailoa will not play.
Elandon Roberts punished for headhunting: Roberts, who is a week back from a serious right knee injury he suffered last December, has been a forceful presence on the Dolphins defense this week. But the Dolphins had to punish him for a hit the inside linebacker made to Salvon Ahmed during the team’s first 11-on-11 session on Thursday.
Players usually hit lightly or wrap-up teammates during practice, but Roberts blasted Ahmed so hard the hit could be heard throughout the practice field. Coach Flores immediately kicked Roberts out of the drill and told him to take a lap around the field.
“I need to control myself and not hit my teammates,” said Roberts, who is competing with Benardrick McKinney to regain the starting inside linebacker spot next to Jerome Baker. “It’s close to the season and we need all our teammates. I can do a better job of controlling myself. I got a little excited.”
Roberts, who contributed 61 tackles, 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble in the 402 snaps he played on defense last season, said he’s following the Dolphins’ guidance regarding his knee injury, and Miami’s medical staff hasn’t clarified whether or not he’ll be cleared to play against the Bengals.