Because of the injury he suffered against New England, Robert Hunt’s starting streak is in jeopardy.
The chances of Robert Hunt missing his first game for the Miami Dolphins are increasing after the veteran starter missed his second straight practice as the team prepares for Sunday’s AFC matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
If Hunt misses his first start since the 2020 season, ending a 43-game streak that included Miami’s playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills last season, it will be the Dolphins’ sixth different offensive line combination in nine games this season due to injuries.
Two starters could be back.
Even if starting center Connor Williams, who has missed three of the last four games due to a groin injury that flared up a month ago, and starting left tackle Terron Armstead, who began his 21-day window to return from a left knee injury that landed him on injured reserve on Wednesday, are in the lineup, Miami is likely to have at least two backup guards.
Robert Hunt in action.
Lester Cotton started his second NFL game last week, replacing Isaiah Wynn, who was placed on injured reserve two weeks ago with a quadriceps injury suffered in Miami’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and will likely continue to man one of the two starting guard spots.
The other two viable candidates to fill the guard vacancies are Robert Jones, who has started nine games for the Dolphins at left and right guard during his career, and Liam Eichenberg, who has been filling in at center during Williams’ absence.
Jones played 56 offensive snaps in Miami’s win over the Patriots last week. Initially, he and Cotton were rotating left guard duties in what appeared to be an audition for Wynn’s replacement for the rest of the season. When Hunt went down in the second quarter, Jones took over as his replacement and finished the game.
“When it comes to all positions, whether it’s the O-line, wide receiver, or running back, we’re always trying to make sure that we’re putting ourselves in the best position to get the result we want,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said of the guard tryouts, which are being held in Germany for a second week.
“We weigh all things during the week to make sure we have the right options on Sunday.”
Is Eichenberg now a full-time center?
The Dolphins’ game against the Chiefs on Sunday will reveal whether the team has given up on Eichenberg as a starting guard in the NFL. The 2021 second-round pick has spent his career working at every position on the offensive line, and the fact that he’s struggled at every spot in the majority of his 30 starts hasn’t been encouraging.
However, the Dolphins like the progress he’s made at center and believe it could be his future NFL home. It’s possible that Miami will consider Eichenberg as a possible replacement for Williams next season, when he is set to become an unrestricted free agent and will demand a significant raise from his $7 million salary this season.
The Dolphins must also ensure that Williams has a backup for the Chiefs game in case he has an injury before or during the game. Cotton and Jones, two players who barely made the Dolphins’ 53-man roster this season, are likely to fill the guard positions.
But it’s a good thing they did because of times like this, and both intend to take advantage of the opportunities that have arisen.
“Having a full week means everything,” said Cotton, a Parade All-American who went to Alabama as a highly touted recruit and ended up starting two seasons for the Crimson Tide, winning two national championships. “We get into a rhythm with everyone else, know the playcalls, and know how to communicate.” That will be everything I need to keep improving.”
