The Miami Dolphins face the possibility of being without both starting tackles against the Buffalo Bills’ fierce pass rush in Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium between two AFC East unbeatens.
Three-time Pro Bowl tackle Terron Armstead is one of four Dolphins who will be listed as questionable going into the divisional matchup against the Bills.
“It is literally up in the air,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said on Friday ahead of team practice. “Only his body really knows, and I don’t think he knows yet if he’ll play.”
This comes as Miami already is without right tackle Austin Jackson, on injured reserve with an ankle ailment, for at least three more weeks. But the team has been pleased with backup Greg Little’s work filling in at his spot.
The Dolphins didn’t send Armstead, who played through a toe injury last Sunday in Baltimore, out to any of the team’s practices this week, as he missed a third consecutive day on Friday. Last week, he participated on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday before playing against the Ravens, but McDaniel expressed confidence Friday in Armstead’s ability to play without practice.
“He’s a vet that we can count on if he’s able to play,” McDaniel said. “Traditionally, you don’t really mess with that stuff. Guys have to practice to be able to play. He’s proven otherwise.
“We thought it’d be extra helpful if we didn’t hurt how he’s treating [the toe] by making it worse with practice, and we need to get guys prepared should he not be able.”
If he plays Sunday, Armstead will be crucial in blocking Bills edge rusher Von Miller, and the prospect of backup tackles having to deal with him could be scary. Buffalo also has second-year standout defensive end Greg Rousseau, a University of Miami alum, opposite Miller.
Should Armstead be unable to play, McDaniel may opt to insert Robert Jones at left guard while sliding Liam Eichenberg out to Armstead’s vacated left tackle spot, as he did when Armstead missed snaps in the opener against New England. This would keep Little at right tackle.
Little has impressed offensive line coach Matt Applebaum since getting thrown into the lineup for much of the Patriots game and the entire outing in Baltimore.
“He did really well in there. I was proud of him,” Applebaum said Thursday. “I think it’s been a little while since he played, and he had a great week of preparation. He went out there against some good players and performed pretty well.”
Little could be on a path to revitalizing his career after underwhelming in two years with the Carolina Panthers, who drafted him in the second round in 2019, and a 2021 season with the Dolphins during which he didn’t get in games.
“The guy’s got a lot of physical tools,” Applebaum said. “There’s a reason he was a high pick. I mean, he’s [listed at 6-5, 322 pounds]. He’s got long arms, good feet and can bend. Those guys don’t grow on trees.”
Little said Armstead’s presence has instilled confidence in him.
“We speak all the time. He always says I’m a good player,” said Little, adding that Armstead teaches teammates how to watch film. “Hearing that from a guy like that is always cool and stuff. He’s been helpful to the room, understanding football mindsets and stuff. Every vet doesn’t willingly help.”
Armstead’s status is just one among a series of injury concerns for both teams going into Sunday’s divisional matchup. Cornerback Xavien Howard, defensive tackle Raekwon Davis and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson are officially listed as questionable on the Friday injury report.
McDaniel was cautious in detailing Howard’s availability after he missed Wednesday’s practice but was limited on Thursday and Friday with a groin injury. Howard and cornerbacks coach Sam Madison, on Thursday, indicated they’re confident he’ll be ready.
“I’m confident he’ll be able to go if he’s able to go,” McDaniel quipped. “And then, I’m confident in the players that will play if he doesn’t go.”
The Bills will already be down at least five key defenders as Buffalo coach Sean McDermott ruled out safety Micah Hyde, cornerback Dane Jackson and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips before Friday’s practice — Hyde and Jackson with neck injuries and Phillips because of a knee ailment. Cornerback Tre’Davious White is out on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list. . Defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle), limited throughout the week, was deemed out on the team’s Friday injury report. Additionally, safety Jordan Poyer (foot), wide receiver Gabe Davis (ankle), tight end Dawson Knox (foot), defensive tackle Tim Settle (calf) and center Mitch Morse (elbow) are questionable for Sunday.
“They’re very good players,” McDaniel said of the injured Bills defenders that won’t play. “But their whole defense is productive because it’s a team defense.”
Said Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill of a Buffalo secondary that may count on rookie cornerbacks Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford: “The absence of Tre’Davious, really, I feel like slows them down, but those guys over there, Sean McDermott, he has the mentality of next man up, next cornerback. Those guys are filling in well for that defense.”
Along with Armstead, Hunter Long (ankle) and Cethan Carter (concussion protocol) missed Friday drills. The two tight ends are out for Sunday. Wilson was no longer wearing a red, non-contact jersey as he looks to return from an injury to his ribs.
“Ribs are tricky because it’s hard to play football and keep them out of the equation — or breathe,” McDaniel said.
Davis (knee) was limited at Thursday and Friday practices after participating in full on Wednesday. John Jenkins would get additional reps at nose tackle if Davis can’t suit up. The Dolphins also remain without cornerback Byron Jones, who is on the reserve/PUP list.
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