What We Know About the Miami Dolphins OT

HOUSTON — Terron Armstead only recently returned to Miami Dolphins practice sessions undergoing arthroscopic surgery to clean up a knee issue, but he may have suffered another injury. What happened to Armstead during Thursday’s joint practice against the Houston Texans?

Terron Armstead Injury Update

Armstead came off the field today favoring his right leg after getting hurt on the first snap of 11-on-11 reps. He initially went to the training table to be checked out by Miami’s medical staff and spoke to Dolphins general manager Chris Grier.

Armstead put on sneakers but wasn’t able to extend his right leg while doing so.

Eventually, Armstead got on Miami’s medical cart and was taken to the locker room. He wasn’t able to place any weight on his right leg.

Onto the cart now. No weight on his right leg. Armstead clearly not pleased with what transpired today.

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 17, 2023

Armstead’s Injury History

The Dolphins knew about Armstead’s lengthy injury when they signed him to a five-year, $75 million contract during the 2022 offseason. He’s never completed a full season since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Over the past five years, he’s dealt with myriad health issues, including pectoral, ankle, elbow, knee, and toe injuries.

In 2022, Armstead appeared in 13 of 17 regular-season games. By the end of the year, he was listed with toe, pec, knee, and hip issues. Miami’s offense was roughly a touchdown per game better in the contests where Armstead was available.

Dolphins’ Options at Left Tackle

If Armstead is sidelined for a significant period of time, Miami would have several options to replace him at left tackle.

The Dolphins could insert Kendall Lamm at LT and allow Liam Eichenberg, Robert Jones, and Isaiah Wynn to continue competing at left guard. Lamm made one start for Miami in 2022 and started 13 games for the Texans in 2018.

Alternatively, the Dolphins could consider moving Wynn to left tackle. A first-round selection by the Patriots in 2018, Wynn was New England’s primary left tackle from 2019-21 before shifting to the right side last season.

Armstead’s injury could also affect whether Miami feels comfortable deploying quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the preseason. Before Armstead went down in practice, head coach Mike McDaniel was asked whether Armstead’s availability changes the calculus with regard to Tua suiting up during exhibition season.

“No,” McDaniels said. “I think if I didn’t feel like there were capable NFL players behind Terron (Armstead) then that may factor. Everything factors into it.

“However, I do think our given situation, I don’t even know who the third, fourth tackles are right now — and that’s a good thing because the score’s not settled. However, I do know that play will be up to the standard that I’ve been used to over my NFL career of what you have to have as an NFL caliber player at that position.”