Can the 2023 Phins stay healthy enough to reach their goals?!
The Miami Dolphins have one of their most talented rosters in a long, long time. Maybe even one of the most talented rosters in the league with studs on both sides of the ball. Miami has a real chance to build on last year’s playoff appearance and take it to the next level. But, injuries are the great equalizer, and right now, after a string of injuries, the Phins biggest challenge looks to be staying healthy! This challenge will start with their preseason game against the Jaguars, who are playing their starters for the whole 1st Half.
Can the Phins shake the injury bug?
As in most sports, injuries are for the most part out of the team’s control. If there are too many they can quickly derail any team’s season. There is no other sport where this is as true as in the NFL! Just last season it was Tua and Terron’s injuries, along with some other notable injuries, that had the team limping in the final part of the season.
Injuries are part of the game–no way around that. Unfortunately, the success of a football team’s success is partly based on how ‘lucky’ they can be when it comes to health.
So far, Ramsey has been injured and will be out for a good chunk of the season. Then Pro Bowl Left Tackle Terron Armstead was injured during practice. This was even more devastating than the Ramsey injury because he is the heart and soul of the offensive line and having him in the starting lineup makes life safer for Tua. On the flip side, Ramsey was more of a shock because Armstead has battled numerous injuries over his career and has never played in a full season.
Both were a gut punch!
How weird was it that he was injured on the very first play of a joint practice with the Houston Texans when someone fell on the back of his legs! Thankfully he’s bounced back pretty quick and has been walking around practice. Still, we aren’t certain he’ll be ready for Week 1.
But, the injuries have kept coming…
Thankfully none of the injured Phins will miss the whole season
Notable other injuries include:
- Elite receiver Jaylen Waddle fell on a football and has missed over two weeks.
- Rookie 3rd-round pick Devon Achane hurt his shoulder after getting slammed to the turf against the Texans and is day-to-day.
- Rookie 2nd-round pick defensive back Cam Smith hurt his shoulder a couple of weeks ago and is only now slowly making his way back.
- Guard Robert Jones injured his MCL in the same game and will miss the first month… if he makes the roster.
- Running Back Jeff Wilson Jr. has been slowed for some time with an undisclosed injury.
- Quarterback Mike White is dealing with a concussion.
- Liam Eichenberg and Lester Cotton recently missed time with an injury.
- Yesterday DTs Da’Shawn Hand and Zach Sieler hurt their knees at practice. While not serious injuries, they were nicked… and it doesn’t take the best football software to know this is never a good thing.
Will this long list of injuries and the start of the season just over two weeks away, the Phins must walk out of this game without any key injuries. I know they need to look good and perform well, but coming out healthy from this meaningless game is maybe even more critical. If this team can just stay relatively healthy, I think they can compete with anyone… and maybe then this will finally be our year!
Can we stay healthy? What do the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans think?