Austin Jackson, Dolphins tackle, out with injury
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Austin Jackson will miss at least the next few weeks due to a lower leg injury. Coach Mike McDaniel reported that Jackson suffered the injury during Friday’s practice, but his recovery is not expected to extend into the regular season. Jackson, selected in the first round of 2020, became a key player for the team, earning him a three-year, $36 million contract extension in 2023. Last season, he missed nine games due to a meniscus injury, although McDaniel clarified that the current injury is not related.The Dolphins’ offensive line suffered significantly without Jackson last season. Their run blocking success rate decreased from 71.5% in weeks 1-9 to 67.3% in weeks 10-18. With Jackson, the pass blocking success rate was 62.4%, while without him, it was 50%. Both percentages without Jackson were among the worst in the league last season. McDaniel indicated that Jackson is expected to start in the Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, Miami has signed Germain Ifedi, a former first-round draft pick, following a training session on Saturday. Ifedi played seven games with the Cleveland Browns last season, after having played seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, and Atlanta Falcons.“Austin’s injury occurred while playing football, he was stepped on. It has nothing to do with anything else,” McDaniel stated on Sunday. “The important thing for me is that, at the point where he is… he shook off the rust, came back and, in my opinion, surpassed his previous performance. So fortunately, the recovery period doesn’t seem like it will extend into the regular season.”
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins coach
