Austin Jackson used a bounce-back 2023 season to attain a strong extension. Halfway by way of this yr, nevertheless, one other harm will place a excessive hurdle within the veteran blocker’s path.
Placed on IR on Monday, Jackson is now out for the season. Mike McDaniel confirmed Jackson will endure knee surgical procedure via ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Beasley. This can mark a second season derailed by harm in three years, as an ankle illness sidelined Jackson for a lot of the 2022 slate.
It is a powerful blow to a Dolphins staff that has handled accidents and a few cost-related turnover up entrance over the previous yr. Miami didn’t re-sign Connor Williams, who had gone down late final season, and let Robert Hunt stroll on account of value constraints this offseason. The Dolphins even have would-be left guard starter Isaiah Wynn on the PUP list; Wynn has been out for over a yr. Whereas Jackson received in 2023 season whereas the remainder of Miami’s beginning O-line bumped into harm hassle, he has been on this boat earlier than.
An ankle harm sustained in Week 1 of the 2022 season sidelined Jackson for 15 video games, with a comeback try weeks later shutting him down for the season. The Dolphins roster high-end left sort out Terron Armstead, however the Professional Bowler has handled a litany of maladies throughout his time in New Orleans and Miami. Armstead has missed two video games this season. Jackson had performed in all however one recreation over the previous two years.
The Dolphins drafted Jackson within the 2020 first spherical and did not pick up his fifth-year option. Jackson moved from left sort out to protect to proper sort out throughout his time in Miami, settling at RT final yr. His 2023 efficiency prompted the Dolphins handy out a three-year, $36M extension in December last year. Jackson, 25, is signed by way of the 2026 season.
PFF has Armstead graded first amongst all tackles this season, one which comes after the previous Saints mainstay thought-about retirement. Jackson ranks 56th. The Dolphins drafted Patrick Paul within the second spherical to organize for a future with out Armstead. Miami, although, began veteran swingman Kendall Lamm rather than Jackson on Monday night time.
Lamm, 32, has 38 begins on his resume and has been in McDaniel’s system for 3 seasons. It seems Paul remains to be being groomed, although he did make one begin rather than Armstead earlier this season. This harm brings the Houston product nearer to the beginning lineup, however Miami will now use Lamm as RT aid.