Examining the Under-the-Radar (But Very Significant) Dolphins Injury Concern

The Miami Dolphins have an alarming lack of depth on the offensive line, and one's player continued absence is not helping matters

Miami Dolphins offensive line coach Zach Yenser speaks to guard Jamaree Salyer during practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Miami Dolphins have the makings of a solid offensive line in place if Kadyn Proctor lives up to expectations and Jonah Savaiinaea can take the anticipated jump in his second season, but there is a clear problem with the group.

That problem is an alarming lack of depth, and it's a concern that's only growing with each passing day.

To help find a potential solution, the Dolphins swung the trade for New England Patriots 2024 third-round pick Caedan Wallace and an ideal world he can live up to his draft status in Miami and provide help either at guard or tackle.

But Wallace has become just one of the many unproven young players in the offensive line room, which continues to be missing the one veteran who projects as the top backup on the unit.

That would free agent acquisition Jamaree Salyer, who has not practiced since the third of training camp back on July 31.

Head coach Jeff Hafley hasn't been asked about Salyer recently, but it's not just that he hasn't practiced, he also hasn't been spotted at practice at all in August — unlike just about everybody else who is dealing with an injury, whether it be Dante Trader Jr., Kevin Coleman Jr., rookie Chris Bell or PUP cornerbacks Storm Duck and Darrell Baker Jr.

This makes it a bit concerning as to Salyer's availability at the start of the regular season. Yes, we're still a month away, but remember that Salyer was carted off the field during minicamp and missed the final week of OTAs.

And the reality is that the Dolphins really can't afford, as presently constituted, to be without Salyer for a long period of time.

Yes, Jamaree Salyer.

THE DOLPHINS' LACK OF DEPTH UP FRONT

Salyer joined the Dolphins as a free agent after spending four seasons with the L.A. Chargers, for whom he played both guard and tackle — and he was very durable there, played all 17 games in 2022-24 before playing 13 last year.

In light of fellow free agent pick-up Charlie Heck's well-publicized struggles in training camp — though he has practiced better the past few days — Salyer looks like he might be the one reliable backup right now at guard or at center.

Andrew Meyer is somebody who showed some promise as a rookie free agent, but the fact remains he's still an unproven commodity.

And the same applies to everybody at tackle outside of Heck.

The newest addition, Wallace, has only 10 games of NFL experience, but that's more than Marques Cox, Kevin Cline and Gottlieb Ayedze combined.

The thought coming out of the spring was that if something were to happen to Austin Jackson — and we don't need to go over his injury history — then Heck simply would fill in, but training camp has provided reason for concern.

Salyer has played right tackle before and right now he would look like a better option. He also would be the top backup at guard, even an option to start if it turned out that Savaiinaea wasn't able to take that step forward after his rough rookie season.

But Salyer has to be healthy and on the field to be able to contribute.

Right now he's not and he hasn't been for more than 10 days, with no clear picture as to when he'll be back.

So, yes, his injury is a clear concern. A major concern.