Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores gave an honest answer on Monday regarding Austin Jackson’s role with the team.
“As for left tackle, Liam Eichenberg played the entire game because Jackson had just come off the COVID-19 list and didn’t practice all week,” the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote. “But Flores made clear that ‘Austin is our left tackle.’
“But Flores added that ‘Liam did a nice job. It was a tough environment against a team that gives a lot of different looks. I thought he played well.’
“Asked how the offensive line played, Flores said: ‘like every position, there’s a lot of improvement that needs to be made. Improvement is the big mantra at all positions.’”
Eichenberg filled in for Jackson during the Dolphins’ Week 1 win over the New England Patriots as Jackson had recently gotten off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Jackson received three snaps on special teams, but he got no snaps on offense.
The 2020 first-round pick appeared in 13 games in his rookie season, making 12 starts.
While Jackson was given just a 52.3 grade last season by Pro Football Focus, Flores and the Dolphins clearly view him as the team’s long-term fit at left tackle.
It’s nice to know that the Dolphins have an amicable replacement in Eichenberg, but it looks like Jackson will regain his starting position soon.
The Dolphins take on another division rival in the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
