Dolphins LT Terron Armstead showing encouraging signs in recovery from pectoral strain
The progress for Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead continues to look more encouraging as the days pass since he suffered a pectoral strain in Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel called Armstead “game to game” on Wednesday, noted the three-time Pro Bowler won’t require surgery and sounded like he wasn’t immediately ruling Armstead out for the three consecutive road games to come — or even this Sunday’s game at the San Francisco 49ers.
“You can rest assured that he’ll do everything possible,” said McDaniel, who added Armstead continues to impress him as a professional with the way he recovers. “If there’s a way that he can be on the field and play in December against a playoff team, he lives for that moment.
“As long as there’s nothing keeping him from hurting his team or himself, he’ll be out there.”
This update came after McDaniel initially said it at least won’t be a season-ending ailment for Armstead, who had previously been playing through a nagging toe injury through the first half of the year. The Dolphins appear like they won’t need to put Armstead on injured reserve, which would put him out at least four weeks.
“He was a little nervous, I think, in the 24 hours after,” McDaniel said of Armstead, “but in double the time, he’s come back with a little pep in his step.”
Armstead left the game against the Texans late in the first half. The Dolphins offensive line then allowed five sacks, four while quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was still in the game — plus one negated by a facemask — and another on backup Skylar Thompson.
McDaniel indicated right tackle Austin Jackson is further from a return after re-injuring the right ankle that caused him to sit since the opener against the New England Patriots.
“I’d be surprised if he was able to play,” McDaniel said. “I’m not expecting him to be able to play.”
Running back Raheem Mostert is in a good spot to return to action against his former team after missing the game against the Texans.
“He should be ready to go,” McDaniel said Wednesday.
Mostert, speaking at his locker room ahead of Wednesday’s practice, also said he expects to play.
McDaniel said Mostert was close to playing against Houston, but McDaniel called it “too risky to what he means to the team.”
Prime-time flex
After the Dolphins game against the 49ers, their ensuing matchup at the Los Angeles Chargers will now be played on Sunday night after the NFL’s Tuesday announcement to flex the game into prime time over the Chiefs-Broncos game originally slated for the night slot.
It’s the first time since flex scheduling began in 2006 that the Dolphins had a matchup upgraded to prime time from an afternoon post.
McDaniel said it’s never a particular goal of a team to earn a flex, but he appreciated it as a symbol for what Miami has accomplished through 11 games at 8-3.
“I think you acknowledge it, and that’s something that the players should be proud of,” McDaniel said. “That means the players have decided that they want to make the most out of all the talent that they have, and they’re committed to doing so and it’s a credit to them.”
He also wants to keep this week’s focus on San Francisco.
“It is next week,” he said. “If you worry about next week against a team like we’re facing, you will be humbled fast.”
This story will be updated.
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