Miami Dolphins Branden Albert to be game time decision

The Miami Dolphins benched Ja’Wuan James in overtime last week and this week their left tackle may miss the game as Branden Albert is expected to be a game time decision.

Albert is suffering from an ankle injury. He missed Tuesday’s walk-through practice and the team is traveling today to Cincinnati ahead of their Thursday night game against the Bengals. If Albert can’t go, the Dolphins will have to make some changes.

Mike Pouncey will miss another week as he recovers from his hip injury and Anthony Steen is questionable with an ankle injury. If Steen can’t go, Kraig Urbik will start at center.

On the right side Ja’Wuan James is no lock to start at right tackle and Adam Gase may keep him on the bench after his sub-par season thus far. In his place would be Billy Turner. So what do the Dolphins do about left tackle?

They could bounce Laremy Tunsil outside but more likely they will move Jermon Bushrod to left tackle. Bushrod has played tackle before as it was his primary position before moving down to guard. The Dolphins would likely move Dallas Thomas up from the inactive list to play right guard.

No matter what happens the Dolphins offensive issues come at a time when the team is struggling with run blocking and pass protection. Ryan Tannehill is consistently being hit and Adam Gase told members of the media this week that the pressure on Tannehill is contributing to be his turnovers. Gase says it’s hard to get timing routes completed when Tannehill doesn’t have the time to let the plays develop.

This has been an ongoing issue for the Dolphins since before Joe Philbin took over the team. The best guard Miami has had in the last 10 years was Richie Incognito who is still playing at a Pro-Bowl level.

The Dolphins have four first round draft picks on their offensive line in Ja’Wuan James, Mike Pouncey, Laremy Tunsil, and Kansas City drafted Branden Albert in round one as well.

Thus far, the investments haven’t paid off.