Miami Dolphins have few offensive line options

In their first preseason outing, the Miami Dolphins first team offensive line was solid. A few penalties were discouraging, but the offense overcame the infractions.

However, in their second preseason game the Dolphins saw some linemen continue their solid play while others regressed. And in one case, a starter was injured.

Filling in for Branden Albert at left tackle, Jason Fox suffered a head injury during the second preseason game. Fox’s status is uncertain and if he misses any time, his injury leaves a potential chasm at left tackle.

This turns the microscope over to the players left on the roster. The healthy ones. Especiallys those who are struggling.

The most noticeable and notable player who stumbled on Saturday night was Billy Turner. Turner was pushed back on the first play of the game, resulting in snuffed out Lamar Miller run. From there, things really didn’t improve.

He played in six less snaps against the Carolina Panthers (27) than against the Chicago Bears (33). But less snaps didn’t help him any as ProFootballFocus gave Turner a grade of -3.9 in run blocking.

Many other offensive linemen struggled against Carolina. Jeff Linkenbach was inconsistent throughout the game. There were times he provided solid blocking, but he was cleanly beaten on too many plays at tackle.

Aundrey Walker, J.D. Walton, Sam Brenner, Donald Hawkins all had very inconsistent nights against the Panthers as well. Much like Linkenbach, they were beat far too often against second and third team players.

With the offensive line thing, the performances of these players heavily damages any confidence in them should they need to fill in as a starter.

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While the depth at offensive line is still a concern, it now goes beyond that. The Dolphins are running out of options on their own roster.

Guys like Walker, Walton, Hawkins, Michael Liedtke, and Bryant Browning aren’t going to make this team and if one of them does it will not be for the most encouraging of reasons, like Fox’s injury.

Linkenbach and Brenner struggling is noteworthy because, as it looks right now, they’ll be competing for the last offensive lineman spot. Both are versatile enough to play multiple positions but neither looks capable of filling in for Turner if he continues to be inconsistent.

Jamil Douglas and Jacques McClendon are the best options left on the team as both turned in good performances on Saturday night. However, neither can replace Fox.

Douglas looked good against the Panthers’ depth players, but he had a moment or two that would be considered discouraging. His most egregious mistake involved him losing a defensive tackle in the fourth quarter.

Douglas played 35 snaps, tied for second most on the team. But he can’t get beat by players that far down the roster for the opposing team. He’s supposed to be Turner’s biggest competition to the right guard position.

Jacques McClendon was superb. It looks like he has a clear route to making the team as the second string center. PFF gave him one of the team’s highest grades, +1.7. That was the same grade they gave Mike Pouncey. McClendon’s play has forced Brenner to play guard of late and has practically doomed Waldon.

As for Turner, he has worked hard this season to let three possessions weigh him down. He led the team in increased days worked percentage in this offseason. So he deserves another crack at keeping his right guard spot. But the leash cannot be long.

Because if he falters, Miami doesn’t have much in the way of in-house options at guard. McClendon or Douglas are the best two choices left on the roster.

One is the backup center and the other is a rookie who needs some more time to grow. Neither option is ideal, but should Turner not turn his game around, what other choice do the Dolphins have? On this roster, none.

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