Next on line: Little, Coleman see more duty at right tackle
MIAMI GARDENS — With many starters sitting out the Dolphins’ third and final preseason game at the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday was primed to be a Liam Eichenberg showcase at right tackle, since first-teamer Jesse Davis is set to rest.
Eichenberg, the rookie secondround pick out of Notre Dame, left Thursday’s practice with an apparent right leg injury. That puts the status of the prized rookie the Dolphins traded up to draft in doubt for the exhibition finale.
After Eichenberg was held out following a bull rush from defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah in a one-on-one drill, it was a lot of Greg Little and Larnel Coleman at right tackle.
Now Little, the 2019 secondround pick of the Carolina Panthers whom the Dolphins traded for more than a week ago, and Coleman, the seventh-round 2021 selection, could see a majority of the time at the position on Sunday. The second half of Thursday’s drills might serve as a preview.
“A lot of stuff to improve on, obviously,” said Davis of the two, “but Greg Little, coming in here, looks like he’s pretty good. Larnel’s been improving, so it’s been good to see that.”
Little had a particularly impressive showing in the 1-on-1 blocking portions of practice, holding his own against various Dolphins pass rushers.
Eichenberg, who was competing for the fifth starting spot on the offensive line, is now dealing with his second injury this preseason after previously missing the exhibition opener at the Chicago Bears with a shoulder ailment. He has moved from right tackle to left guard and back to right tackle during training camp.
Davis also noted that he sees Miami’s run blocking coming along with Robert Hunt and Solomon Kindley playing guard and Michael Deiter at center.
First-team right tackle reps for Little and Coleman also came as tackle Adam Pankey missed the entire week of practice injured. Little was also brought in to push Austin Jackson at left tackle after a lackluster preseason debut against the Bears.
Camp observations: Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel had one would-be practice sack, chasing QB Tua Tagovailoa running to his left on a rollout. Van Ginkel also had another play where he pulled a speed rush on tackle Austin Jackson — but may have gone too far up the field — to flush Tagovailoa out and force him to scramble.
Tagovailoa had a nice connection deep over the middle to DeVante Parker on a post and was able to connect multiple times with tight end Hunter Long, who got to work with the first team Thursday.
Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah pushed Eichenberg back on a bull rush on the 1-on-1 rep that stood out most during that portion of practice. While Van Ginkel beat Jackson at least once in 11-on-11, Jackson held his own in 1-on-1s. Right guard Robert Hunt was solid in that drill, as was defensive tackle Adam Butler on the other side, showing he can penetrate on the interior pass rush.
Cornerbacks Byron Jones and Nik Needham both made multiple pass breakups Thursday. Linebackers Jaelan Phillips, Duke Riley and Brennan Scarlett all had quarterback pressures in 11-on-11 work. Safety Clayton Fejedelem also made an impressive deflection covering tight end Chris Myarick deep.
Tagovailoa was almost intercepted by Needham once, but quickly rebounded with a pass 20 yards over the middle to an open Jakeem Grant.
Linebacker Elandon Roberts may have been a little too excited to spend a second practice with the first team as he delivered a brutal, loud blow to running back Salvon Ahmed when Ahmed came his way on a run. It did show, though, that he’s ready to hit when Miami faces opposing teams.
The offense did some 11-on-11 work pumping in crowd noise. Tagovailoa struggled on his opening series with the noise but settled in, while backup Jacoby Brissett handled it well against the second team.
Stock up: Long took advantage of his time with the first team while Mike Gesicki sat out most of the team portions resting and Adam Shaheen was not seen Thursday. Long showed the ability to make downfield catches, hauling in multiple balls on corner routes about 20 to 25 yards along the sideline, even as he continues to work with the brace on his left knee.
Stock down: Defensive end Jason Strowbridge is a good local story as a Deerfield Beach High grad, but his days with the Dolphins might be numbered as he has made little impact throughout training camp. He hasn’t been winning 1-on-1 lineman drill reps, and he has one tackle over the first two preseason games.
Injury update: In addition to Eichenberg making an early exit, cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc left practice and did not return. …
Receivers Albert Wilson and Preston Williams did not participate in Thursday’s practice. Wilson was also held out on Wednesday. Parker was still wearing a red, no-contact jersey on Thursday. …
Tackle Adam Pankey sat out again, missing the entire week. …
Others to miss Thursday drills were safety Jevon Holland, outside linebacker Vince Biegel and tight end Cethan Carter. Cornerback Javaris Davis returned, doing work on the side.