Miami Gardens, Fla. — Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Austin Jackson will be sidelined for several weeks due to a lower limb injury. Head coach Mike McDaniel revealed that Jackson was "stomped" during Friday’s practice, and his recovery timeline likely extends beyond the start of the regular season.

Jackson, Miami’s first-round selection in 2020 and a key player who secured a three-year, $36 million contract extension in 2023, missed nine games last year due to meniscus injuries. However, McDaniel emphasized that those past injuries have no bearing on this current setback.

"He got hurt during play — nothing more," McDaniel explained on Sunday. "In my view, Austin had progressed beyond his previous performance before this injury."

The Dolphins’ offensive line performance noticeably declined without Jackson last season. Their run-block success dropped from 71.5% in the first nine weeks to 67.3% in the latter half. Pass-block effectiveness also slipped from 62.4% with Jackson on the field to 50% without him. The team’s winning percentage without Jackson was the second best in the league last year.

McDaniel plans for Jackson to start the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, the Dolphins signed Jermaine Ifedi, a first-round pick in 2016, after seeing him work out on Saturday. Ifedi started seven games for the Cleveland Browns last season and brings experience from stints with the Seahawks, Bears, and Falcons.

Additionally, Miami has activated safety Ifeatu Melifonwu from the non-football injury list, where he had been since training camp began. His return bolsters a safety group already affected by injuries to Ashtyn Davis and Dante Trader Jr.

Fan Take: Austin Jackson’s absence could significantly impact the Dolphins’ offensive line cohesion, making early-season games particularly challenging for Miami. For NFL fans, this highlights how critical key player health is in shaping team fortunes and the overall competitiveness of the league.