The Miami Dolphins play a game against the Kansas City Chiefs in two days. The composition of their offensive line for that game remains a bit of a mystery.
But not a complete one.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Friday ruled out one interior lineman, hinted that another would play, and left the door open for a significant return not just to the line but the team as a whole.
Mike McDaniel on Miami Dolphins’ Offensive Line
McDaniel revealed Friday that right guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) will not suit up against the Chiefs. It will be the first missed game in Hunt’s four-year NFL career.
Starting in his place, McDaniel suggested Lester Cotton, who filled in for Hunt at right guard when Hunt went down in the first half of Miami’s Week 8 win over the New England Patriots.
Cotton had started at left guard in place of Isaiah Wynn (who could be out for the season), then slid over to the right side upon Hunt’s injury.
Robert Jones will get the start at left guard, per McDaniel.
As for the center position, Connor Williams appears to be on track to return to the lineup. He has not appeared in four of the last five games due to a groin injury, although he was active last week and available in case of an emergency.
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Williams “has had an outstanding week of practice,” McDaniel said. “He hasn’t had any setbacks.”
Assuming Williams is cleared for a full workload, Liam Eichenberg will return to the bench — but not because of any performance shortcoming. Rather, McDaniel praised the job Eichenberg did filling in.
McDaniel was quite helpful in laying out the team’s offensive line but did leave the biggest question mark a mystery:
Will left tackle Terron Armstead (knee) be activated off of injured reserve and play for the first time since Oct. 1?
McDaniel wouldn’t commit to that but did say he was optimistic. McDaniel added that Armstead’s week of practice has “been very encouraging.”
The Dolphins must decide whether Armstead will play by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.
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