The Miami Dolphins could get some reinforcement on offense and lose a key player on defense on Sunday, as Terron Armstead and Jaelan Phillips are reportedly game-time decisions.
#Dolphins OT Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee) and OLB Jaelen Phillips (back) are considered game-time decisions for tonight's game vs. #Patriots.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 17, 2023
The left tackle has yet to make his season debut for the Dolphins this season because of back, ankle and knee issues. He appeared in 13 games in the 2022 campaign, his first in Miami after spending nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
The veteran’s NFL career has been beset by a variety of injuries, as he has missed at least one match every season he has been in the league. The most he has played in a campaign was back in 2019 when he suited up in 15 matches for the Saints.
Even so, he has had a stellar career so far, being a four-time Pro Bowler and earning All-Pro honors once. Miami will likely need a healthy Armstead to provide Tua Tagovailoa with solid protection this season.
As for Phillips, he was added to the team’s injury report late in the week after suffering a back injury.
His absence could deal a significant blow to the Dolphins’ defense, as the third-year pro had an impressive season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, recording a career-high 11 total tackles.
Sitting out the contest versus the New England Patriots would also break Phillips’ string of 35 consecutive regular season appearances. He has never sat out a game since Miami drafted him in 2021. That is quite an achievement for the 24-year-old, who had to medically retire several years ago because of the injuries he had sustained.
In his first two seasons with the Dolphins, he had 103 combined tackles (60 solo tackles), 15.5 sacks, three passes defended and 41 quarterback hits. Hopefully, Phillips has recovered enough to play against New England.
It remains to be seen if Tagovailoa can continue his unbeaten record as a starter against Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Through the four starts he has made against the future Hall of Famer, the Dolphins quarterback has come out as the victor each time. Of course, having Armstead and Phillips on the field could help extend the streak.
