Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio conceded Thursday that his top two defensive tackles — Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler — are probably playing a bit too much.
Wilkins and Sieler have both been on the field for more than three-quarters of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps and have the fifth and sixth-highest usage rate of any Dolphins defender.
Wilkins and Sieler are getting some help from Raekwon Davis (he’s been on the field for 46.3% of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps), but that’s basically it.
The only other defensive tackle on the Dolphins’ active roster is Da’Shawn Hand, but he’s averaging just 12 snaps per game.
So Fangio’s reliance on basically two and a half interior linemen puts both Wilkins and Sieler at risk of wearing down as the season progresses.
Fangio told reporters present at his Thursday news conference that there’s concern “at times” about the high usage of Wilkins and Sieler, but added that the flow of games have dictated the team’s substitutions.
“Usually most teams will rotate the D-linemen a lot,” Fangio said, per USA Today. “We’re low on D-linemen so we don’t do it as much.”
Miami Dolphins’ Vic Fangio on Akiem Hicks
This is a problem that from the outside has a pretty straightforward solution.
Veteran free agent Akiem Hicks is a free agent but might want to continue his career. Fangio coached Hicks for three seasons while both were in Chicago.
MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
ESPN reported Wednesday that Hicks has talked to “multiple teams” about joining up, and the interest remains high. Hicks, the report added, still needs to decide whether he wants to play.
Free agent defensive tackle Akiem Hicks has had discussions with multiple teams and interest remains high, but he has not made a decision whether to play this season, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 15, 2023
If he does, it likely won’t be for the Miami Dolphins.
Fangio was asked specifically about Hicks Thursday. His response?
Hicks’ name, per the Miami Herald, came up in conversation with Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier “a while ago, … but it has never gotten any momentum.”
Now, if the Dolphins have an injury to one of their top three DTs, that stance could change. But the team for now seems set on rolling with Wilkins, Sieler, Davis, Hand, and Brandon Pili, who is on Miami’s practice squad.
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