Kion Smith #71 of the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins suffered a significant blow to their offensive line on Friday night when young lineman Kion Smith was diagnosed with a season-ending injury. As first reported by Houston Texans beat writer Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, Smith tore his ACL during the Dolphins’ 20-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The 25-year-old will miss the entire 2024 NFL season.
Smith, who had been a promising depth piece for the Dolphins, started at left guard in the game against the Falcons. Originally the team’s primary backup to Robert Jones on the right side of the offensive line, Smith was thrust into a starting role due to Jones’ absence. His performance was cut short by what initially appeared to be a serious injury, which has now been confirmed as a torn ACL.
https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1822335821904535660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1822335821904535660%7Ctwgr%5E34ae2532d4fe1d8c289db9cb18d5b19271d71b0c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thephinsider.com%2F2024%2F8%2F10%2F24217556%2Fmiami-dolphins-offensive-lineman-kion-smith-out-for-the-season-torn-acl-2024-nfl-season
The loss of Smith is particularly impactful given his versatility. Last season, he appeared in nine games at tackle for the Dolphins, showcasing his ability to adapt to different positions along the offensive line. His absence now exacerbates existing uncertainties on the line for Miami, which has already faced challenges in the lead-up to the season.
In addition to Smith’s injury, the Dolphins’ offensive line is also dealing with the status of starting center Aaron Brewer, who is currently sidelined with a hand injury and is listed as week-to-week. Head coach Mike McDaniel has indicated that Brewer’s return remains uncertain, placing further strain on the unit.
To address these issues, the Dolphins recently added veteran center/guard Sean Harlow to their roster. However, with the potential of Liam Eichenberg having to step in at center, the offensive line’s situation could become precarious. This development increases the likelihood that Miami will seek to sign at least one or two additional offensive linemen in the coming week to bolster the depth and stability of the unit.
https://twitter.com/houtz/status/1822358695226835404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1822358695226835404%7Ctwgr%5E34ae2532d4fe1d8c289db9cb18d5b19271d71b0c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thephinsider.com%2F2024%2F8%2F10%2F24217556%2Fmiami-dolphins-offensive-lineman-kion-smith-out-for-the-season-torn-acl-2024-nfl-season
Despite Chris Grier’s attempts to downplay the severity of the Dolphins’ offensive line problems, the team’s current situation underscores the urgency of reinforcing the line. With Smith’s injury and Brewer’s uncertain return, Miami faces a challenging road ahead as they work to solidify their protection for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and ensure a successful 2024 season.
