Brendel in line to make his 2nd start at guard

DAVIE — There might be a changing of the guards on the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line this week.

Jake Brendel, who began the season on injured reserve because of a calf injury, started his first NFL game in Miami’s 31-12 loss to the Green Bay Packers and was the top performer on an injury-decimated offensive line, which featured Jesse Davis as the only veteran starter on the field that day.

Brendel was filling in for Ted Larsen as the starting left guard because of a neck injury Larsen suffered that week in practice, and Brendel turned in the best performance of his unit.

“It’s a really good opportunity to play and show what I can do,” Brendel said. “We held our own against a pretty good defensive front [in Green Bay]. We moved the ball well. We just got to finish with seven points.”

Brendel was referring the 131 rushing yards Miami produced against the Packers and the team’s four redzone opportunities, which all produced field goals.

Brendel can take some ownership for Miami’s run-game success because he has a knack for opening up running lanes. That ability could earn him an extended look with the starting unit this week, and there is a strong possibility the former UCLA standout could start his second NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts and keep the job if he plays like he did against the Packers.

“I think a lot of it has to do with the longer he’s been around and the more he’s absorbed the offense, the faster and better he’s played,” coach Adam Gase said. “I do think he had a really good energy about him when he came back from that injury. I know that was a long time for him because he didn’t have a choice.”

Brendel participated in one training camp practice because of his calf injury, but the Dolphins were committed to keeping him around, placing him on IR, designating him as one of the two players to return from that list by midseason.

“He had to wait. I think he was chomping at the bit,” Gase said. “He came back, and he’s made everything count.”

This is Brendel’s third season with the Dolphins and will be his 20th game, so the hope is that the time and instruction the franchise has invested in him begins to pay off.

Last year, the Dolphins saw Davis blossom in a similar fashion as the former practice squad player transformed into an NFL starter.

Larsen, who has started 119 NFL games, and 16 of 17 games he’s played for the Dolphins, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Larsen regained his starting spot at left guard when Josh Sitton tore his rotator cuff in Miami’s season opening win against the Tennessee Titans, and has been fairly inconsistent at times this season. Gase hinted that the Dolphins need to manage his practice time because of all the injuries he’s suffered this season.

The debate Miami’s coaches must have is whether an experienced, but ailing Larsen is a better option than a healthy, but inexperienced Brendel.

Starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who missed the Packers game because of a sprained left ankle, had his practice participate limited, but he’s expected to play.

Starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James, who missed the Packers game because of a sprained right knee, was listed as questionable.