After making his season debut in Week 3, Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Terron Armstead suffered a knee injury in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills.
Unfortunately, the situation is going to land the veteran on injured reserve, meaning he’ll be sidelined for at least four games.
The #Dolphins are placing LT Terron
Armstead on injured reserve because of a knee injury suffered in Sunday’s loss to the #Bills, sources tell me and @RapSheet.The good news is it’s not expected to be season-ending. But Armstead will miss at least four games. pic.twitter.com/JHV9HryNKV
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 6, 2023
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel spoke about the matter on Friday.
Mike McDaniel said Terron Armstead understands the long game. "He's embracing something he's not excited about" in terms of missing games now to get him right later. https://t.co/v6f11GynFF
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) October 6, 2023
The fact that Armstead is expected to return this season is undoubtedly significant, but his absence over the next several games will continue a frustrating trend that has followed him throughout his NFL career.
Armstead often finds himself sidelined and has never been able to play a full season without missing at least one game. For his NFL career — excluding the current season (incomplete) and his rookie campaign (inconsistent role) — he averages just 11.6 games played per regular season.
The 32-year-old did play in 13 games during the 2022 regular season (in addition to Miami’s lone playoff game). But after missing two games earlier this season and now hitting injured reserve, he’s guaranteed to finish the 2023 regular season having played 11 games or fewer.
The good news for the Dolphins is that they have a relatively manageable stretch coming up. Of their next four games, three will come against teams that currently have losing records.
Armstead will be sidelined for games against the New York Giants (1-3), Carolina Panthers (0-4), Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) and New England Patriots (1-3). If he returns as soon as possible, he’ll be back in action for Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Dolphins certainly knew they were taking a bit of a gamble on Armstead given his injury history when they signed him, but they clearly deemed it a necessary risk given the state of their offensive line at the time.
While the four-time Pro Bowler has been a key player when healthy for the Dolphins, they’re going to need him to stay upright in the future in order for his contract to look like a good decision when all is said and done.
Miami is 3-1 this season following its loss in Week 4 and will look to get back on track in Week 5 against the Giants. The Dolphins are looking to avoid the type of slide they experienced last season when they also started 3-0.
