2 placed on COVID list ahead of opener

The Miami Dolphins came back from a weekend off before the start of the regular season and had two players immediately land on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday morning.

Starting left tackle Austin Jackson and tight end Adam Shaheen are on the COVID list ahead of the Dolphins’ season opener at the New England Patriots, the team announced.

“Both guys were placed on there this morning,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said. “They’re currently out, and we’ll just take it day to day and see how things go.”

Vaccinated players can return after two negative tests more than 24 hours apart. Unvaccinated players who test positive are still subject to the 2020 season’s protocols and require a 10-day quarantine. If unvaccinated and a close contact who hasn’t tested positive, the player sits out five days.

Shaheen, who this training camp stated his desire not to get vaccinated, is slated to be out for the opener because he tested positive while being unvaccinated, according to NFL Network, meaning a 10-day isolation is in store for him. He missed practices in early August due to contact tracing but didn’t test positive then.

“I would never question Adam’s commitment to the team,” Flores said. “I think guys have a decision to make. They make it. We support it, and we move forward. I think that’s how teams work.”

Despite the report on Shaheen’s status, Flores left open the possibility that he could play on Sunday.

“There’s an opportunity to get both guys back, so we’ll see how it goes,” said Flores, who later added when asked for clarification: “It’s possible, yes. I think, under the protocol, yeah, it’s possible.”

Shaheen had a strong camp, earning his role as Miami’s second tight end behind starter Mike Gesicki. The Dolphins also have Durham Smythe, Cethan Carter and rookie Hunter Long among available tight ends.

Jackson also landed on the COVID list due to a positive test, according to Pro Football Talk. If he is vaccinated, he has a simpler path to becoming available for Sunday’s opener in Foxborough — providing two negative tests 24 hours apart. He heads into his second NFL season as a starting left tackle after the Dolphins used a 2020 first-round pick on the USC product.

Greg Little, whom the Dolphins acquired from the Carolina Panthers in a trade during camp, could be in line to start on Sunday if Jackson is unavailable, but that idea was thrown for a loop Monday afternoon when Little wasn’t seen at the team’s practice.

“I think Greg’s done a nice job,” Flores said. “I think Greg’s worked hard to learn the offense, learn the terminology. He’s a hard-working kid. He’s taking in all the information and then tried to apply it in practice and games. He’s had some bright moments the couple of weeks that he’s been here.”

Rookie Liam Eichenberg has college experience playing left tackle, but he hasn’t practiced there during camp — only going at left guard and right tackle. Eichenberg has also been nursing an undisclosed lowerbody injury, but he returned to practice on Monday.

“I think any position, for a rookie coming in and getting their start, is difficult in any situation,” said right tackle Jesse Davis, “but that one, for sure, is difficult just because of all the pressure with left tackle. But with a left-handed quarterback [Tua Tagovailoa], the right tackle is now the left tackle.”

Davis can play the position, but the

Dolphins would have to determine if it’s worth having their most experienced starter switch sides with the priority in protecting Tagovailoa’s blind side on the right.

“If that’s where I need to play, that’s where I’ll be focusing on,” Davis said. “Right now, we’re just day by day and seeing where we’re going to stack them this coming Wednesday.”

He added of the difficulty of switching sides on the line: “Those things are hard. I’ve done it a few times, so it’s nothing I’m going to get super anxious about. It’s just all about preparation.”

Robert Hunt has been at right guard throughout camp after playing right tackle last season as a rookie.

Ultimately, Flores won’t overthink the decisions if it comes down to moving too many pieces.

“Get the best five,” he said. “There is a lot that goes into that. You want your best five players out there. I think we’ve had a few different combinations. I think from a communication standpoint, the guys should’ve worked together in some different roles. My first thought would be to get the best five guys out there and take it from there.”

Miami elevated cornerback Jamal Perry from the practice squad as a COVID replacement on its active roster.

“Jamal is somebody who we have a lot of history with,” Flores said. “We think he can help us.”

The team left one COVID replacement spot open after the two players were placed on the reserve list, a possible indication that the Dolphins expect one could return in time for Sunday in New England.

“Wait and see,” Flores said.