MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins are likely to have backups play at both positions on the right side of the offensive line in their home opener Sunday against the New England Patriots.
With starting right guard James Daniels already out, the Dolphins are not expecting right tackle Austin Jackson to be available either.
Coach Mike McDaniel is preparing as if backup Larry Borom will start at right tackle, but he’s not ruling him entirely out as of Wednesday.
Jackson aggravated his toe injury that hampered him throughout training camp late in Sunday’s 33-8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Borom played the final 10 snaps offensively in place of Jackson at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Daniels was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after suffering a pectoral injury three plays into Sunday’s game, his first regular season game with the Dolphins after signing in free agency.
McDaniel said it was a “tough determination” on whether Daniels would miss four weeks, so the team went ahead and placed him on IR, which puts him out a minimum of four games.
The Dolphins coach said Wednesday he plans on sticking with Kion Smith, who played the rest of Sunday’s game for Daniels, this week against New England.
The Dolphins signed interior offensive lineman Cole Strange to their active roster off the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad Tuesday.
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Strange is a former first-round pick of the Patriots, the Dolphins’ Week 2 opponent. He spent the past three seasons with them but didn’t make the team this training camp.
McDaniel said the Strange pickup had nothing to do with any potential intel he could provide of his former team, as he wouldn’t mess with a player’s livelihood that way.
“He’s here because of his own merit, and we’re excited to have him,” McDaniel said.
Dolphins tight end Darren Waller’s status for Sunday against the Patriots is still unknown.
“I expect to not know what to expect until later on this week,” McDaniel said. “We may get to a point where we realize the risk is too great for the rest of the season and we’ll have to do what’s best for the team.”
This story will be updated.
