Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley has offered some major injury updates on several players, including losing a player for the season.
Training camp and the regular season in the NFL often produce injuries, which are a result of the extreme physical nature of football. The Miami Dolphins have now been hit with a few significant injuries, including the loss of a player for the season.
During Hafley's media availability, the Dolphins head coach revealed that right tackle Austin Jackson, tight end Greg Dulcich, and backup offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer are dealing with ailments. Additionally, UDFA defensive tackle Rene Konga has been lost for the season.
"Day to day. He will not practice today, but hopefully that will not be very long, which I do not participate that being for very long," Hafley said of Jackson.
Hafley also spoke on Dulcich and Salyer also being "day-to-day" but the lineman being a bit farther along.
"Both of them I see day-to-day. I would say for Dulcich, just being truthful with you, back in that Washington timeline. For Salyer, more day-to-day," Hafley said.
Dulcich's return is likely to be next week, when Miami takes on the Washington Commanders during the team's first preseason game on Aug. 12.
Hafley also indicated that safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. is dealing with a lower body injury and is also "day-to-day."
The more serious injury happened to Konga, who is out for the season.
"The one that I'll get ahead of you. Konga. He is the one that will be long-term. He will be out for the season ... that's unfortunate cause he is a young guy who was working really hard, but he will have to treat this year as a redshirt year," Hafley said.
Konga joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville.
Jackson's injury also led to backup tackle Charlie Heck being put in, but the pass rushers were all over quarterback Malik Willis. As a result, Hafley indicated the team will need to "evaluate what's there."
Miami may need to explore some free agent options in case Jackson's injury becomes something more significant or long-term.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan might also need to bring in more tryouts due to the quality of depth behind Jackson. If Heck continues to struggle with protection, it will be even more of a reason for more depth to be brought in to take up the tackle position.
There is also rookie Kadyn Proctor, who is being tasked with playing left guard, but could be moved to the right tackle position in a worst-case scenario type of situation.
Either way, the Dolphins have several key injuries that could lead to veterans potentially missing the first preseason game on Aug. 12. Konga remains the only serious case, and Hafley will offer updates as they come regarding Jackson, Dulcich, Johnson, and Salyer.
Veterans might also not be expected to play in the first preseason game, which would give several of the injured players more time to heal.
