Ted Larsen was injured in practice… Phin Fans should hope that he’s back soon
Ted Larsen fills the critical role of back up at every interior O-line position
Ted Larsen injured his knee in a pileup today at practice. Larsen was helped off by trainers, so it could be more than a couple of days issues. If Larsen has a prolonged absence, Miami will skirt trouble until his return.
While will say he’s ‘only a back up’, the problem lies in that Larsen is the only quality interior back-up Miami has. What makes it worse, he can play all three interior spots and play to the level of a starter.
Miami is now one injury away from putting in a sub-par player.
The Dolphins need quality Offensive Line production this season. That is if they want any hope of success in 2018. This group has been the best O-line starting group and depth that South Florida has in a long, long, time.
This huge asset is now in jeopardy while Larsen is on the sidelines… or until they find a Free Agent replacement.
Only Issac Asiata has performed decently as a backup interior lineman. His play at Left Guard has been schizophrenic with terrible pass protection and good run blocking. Asiata is better suited on the right side. This means Miami would still need a backup at LG and Center, should Larsen be down for an extended period.
Larsen offers a cushion from injury at 3 positions… that’s a big deal.
The only interior player remotely worth putting any money down with a price per head, beyond Asiata, is Jake Brendel. But Brendel has only had one practice so far due to a calf injury. This is a problem.
Miami is thin at the O-line. They need more O-line depth.
Sam Young is a quality back up Tackle. With both Young and Larsen in the lineup, there was a very nice cushion.
This injury, or near injury, does point to a little talked about problem: Miami only has two quality depth players on the Offensive Line.
As more and more snaps come, it looks more and more likely that Miami will have to do some shopping when the ‘grand player cuts’ happen in just under a week.
It’s not the end of the world… serious injury to Larsen or not. This injury did highlight a weakness that needs to be addressed. So that’s a good thing… sort of. Phins fans should cross their fingers he’ll be okay… or hope they pick up a good find in Free Agency. Go Phins!!!