James goes on IR; is his future in Miami?

DAVIE — Offensive tackle Ju’Wuan James is out for the regular season, placed on injured reserve Saturday with a hamstring injury that likely will require surgery.

But is James out of the Dolphins’ plans forever?

They hold James’ rights for a 1-year, $9.3 million deal in 2018. But if James is healthy by the start of the next NFL year in March, they could let him go without any salary cap hit.

Asked Saturday if he would like to see James on the Dolphins’ roster next year, coach Adam Gase did not reply with a simple “Yes.”

“You know, we have to go through a long process before we even get to that,” he said. “I mean, obviously, I’m really big into making sure our guys stay here. We’re so far away from it. It’s hard for me to look past tomorrow. It’s hard to go that far.”

Gase has been given a few opportunities this season to endorse James. His responses, for the most part, have been tepid. That seems about how the Dolphins view James, who technically would be eligible to return from injured reserve for a playoff game this season.

If Miami and James can work out a reasonable longterm contract, it seems it would be best for both.

Though the Dolphins aren’t subscribers to the evaluation service Pro Football Focus, that organization rates James as the 10th-best offensive tackle in the NFL this season, including the fifth-best pass blocker.

The Dolphins won’t pay him at a level commensurate with those rankings. But would another team pay James $9 million on a oneyear deal, or a multiyear deal worth in excess of $8 million a year?

James plays right tackle, which devalues his worth compared with a left tackle. But if James leaves, Miami would rebuild its line with Laremy Tunsil (a left tackle who has not yet performed to his ability) and who else?

Perhaps center Mike Pouncey, though it’s hard to say how long he can anchor Miami’s offensive line.

At times, the Dolphins have wanted James to be more precise on his footwork and technique as well as more consistent in his assignments and on-field decision-making.

The only right tackles now averaging more than $9 million a season are Lane Johnson of the Eagles ($11.2 million) and Ricky Wagner of the Lions ($9.5 million).

It seems the Dolphins and James could come to a fouror five-year agreement worth between $6 million and $6.5 million per season.