MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Dolphins’ offensive line concerns got more serious Friday when coach Mike McDaniel said right tackle Austin Jackson (right ankle) will go on the short-term injured reserve list, meaning he’ll miss at least four games, and left tackle Terron Armstead is questionable for Sunday’s game at Baltimore with a toe injury.
“It was kind of close,” McDaniel said about putting Jackson on IR. “Ankles are kind of finicky. But really what we wanted to avoid after we took all consideration into effect was that we don’t want it to linger for the whole season.”
Jackson sustained his injury in the second quarter of last week’s season-opening 20-7 victory over New England when he got rolled up on a run by fullback Alec Ingold. He stayed in the game for one more play before going to the sideline.
Greg Little, who replaced Jackson in the game, will replace Jackson in the starting lineup, protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side.
Armstead, who left the Patriots game for two plays in the fourth quarter, is battling a toe injury. Asked whether he had confidence Armstead would play Sunday, McDaniel was guarded.
“I have confidence that he’s limited today and is questionable for the game,” he said.
Armstead, the three-time Pro Bowl selection who is the Dolphins’ best offensive lineman, might be a gametime decision.
“It just depends on if he’s worried about it, it will go all the way up to the game because he will do whatever it takes to play,” McDaniel said. “If he’s feeling pretty good about it, it won’t.”
McDaniel said the team is “very confident” in Little.
“He did a great job jumping in there [last week] and he’s really made the most of all of his reps,” McDaniel said.
The Dolphins only carry eight offensive linemen on their 53-man roster. ESPN reported Wednesday the Dolphins intend to sign veteran offensive tackle Brandon Shell, a 30-year-old who started 61 games during the past six seasons with Seattle and the New York Jets. The team hasn’t made such an announcement.
The Dolphins have three offensive linemen on their 16-man practice squad: tackles Kion Smith and Larnel Coleman and James Empey.
Armstead was noncommittal on his status.
“Ideally the starting 11 will be out there, but that’s not how the game works,” he said.
Armstead said he knows how to compensate when playing hurt.
“Unfortunately, I’ve had to become a master compensator and learn ways [to play],” he said. “I’ve added tools to my tool bag that have helped me succeed in games where I’m not feeling my best or dealing with something.”
McDaniel seemed encouraged about Armstead, although not certain he’ll play Sunday.
“He’s got a high pain tolerance, especially in games,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said he thinks Armstead has played games with worse injuries but said the Dolphins don’t want this injury lingering all season. He said he doesn’t think Armstead’s mobility will be too constricted.
“If he’s able to go it will be full speed with him because that’s the way he is,” McDaniel said.
In other injury news defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (back), running back Salvon Ahmed (heel), wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (toe) and tight end Hunter Long (ankle) are questionable.
Tight end Cethan Carter (concussion protocol), injured in the Patriots game, is listed as out for the game.
Passing game average?
Although Tagovailoa didn’t throw deep often last week against New England, he ranked around the middle of the NFL, according to one passing game metric. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson, on the other hand, was above average.
Tagovailoa was tied for 12th in Intended Air Yards per pass attempt at 8.3 yards, according to Pro Football Reference.
IAY/attempt is defined as average air yards per pass attempt, whether completed or not.
Baltimore led the league at 12.0 yards, slightly ahead of second-place Tampa Bay (11.3 yards).
By the way, Tagovailoa threw off of play action 14 times among his 33 attempts, which ranked second in the league behind Philadelphia (16).
Ravens focus on tackling
Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle can take a short pass to the house in the blink of an eye, so Baltimore is emphasizing the importance tackling and taking good angles. Waddle, a 1,000-yard receiver last year as a rookie, had a 42-yard touchdown reception last week in which he caught an 11-yard pass, split three defenders and sprinted 31 yards. And you know what Hill, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, can do with his speed.
“The timing of their offense is what makes it go,” Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald said. “If the ball is out on time, and a guy has a catch and run, you have issues. That’s something that we’re going to try to throw a wrench in the works for them.”
