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MIAMI GARDENS ― Some Miami Dolphins fans are angry with Austin Jackson because he's been injured too often.
It seems unlikely this is within his control, but, yes, Jackson's been injured too often.
This is the part where we tell you Jackson is about to return from a toe injury and regain his status as starting right tackle.
And more importantly, this is the part where we tell you Austin Jackson has been quite a good player when healthy.
In fact, Jackson has been an elite run blocker.
"His conviction is on the top end of any lineman I've been around in terms of he is trying to make a play by technique, force, and body mechanics," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of Jackson. "He's going after the opponent. That competitive, violent play style that he aggressively attacks people with, it's infectious."
Jackson, 26, has played only 38 snaps for Miami in 2025.
That's 5.96 percent of snaps.
Larry Borom has exceeded preseason expectations as a non-disastrous pass blocker, filling in for Jackson.
But Miami has really missed the athletic and relentless Jackson in the run game.
The Dolphins are tied for 6th in the NFL with 4.8 rushing yards per attempt.
But the Dolphins are 28th in rushing attempts.
Would Miami have more rushes if Jackson and right guard James Daniels had not been injured in Miami's 33-8 season-opening loss at Indianapolis?
Well, yes.
The Dolphins have found some traction in the run game recently by utilizing Daniel Brunskill in a six-offensive-linemen package.
But ideally, the expected return of Jackson on Sunday, Nov. 30, against the Saints, will make that even less necessary.
"Getting him back into football and just into the huddle is a big deal for our football team, because he's not only a really good player, but he adds value to all those around him by his consistency, commitment, talent, and quite literally, I'm really fired up about his aggressiveness," McDaniel said.
Paul has emerged as a trusted left tackle. Rookie Jonah Savaiinaea has made slight gains after an awful start. Aaron Brewer is a standout center. Cole Strange has proven at least a serviceable backup, filling in for Daniels.
The Dolphins are a much better run team when Jackson is in the game.
Jackson is 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, and nimble. And he has been routinely spotted making run blocks well downfield.
When Terron Armstead retired prior to this season, the Dolphins did not hide that they believed Jackson was a key current and future leader of the offensive line group.
So Jackson missing the last 10 games has been painful in multiple areas.
In fact, a glance at Jackson's games played since entering the NFL is disconcerting:
13, 17, 2, 16, 8, 1.
"With ‘AJ’ back in the fold, it gives us a spark," said Paul, the left tackle. "He’s definitely a very loud and great leader for us. Someone who is very impactful in the game and just a great person to have on the field.”
Jackson has missed NFL action due to injuries to toe, knee, ankle and foot and he's also worked thorough hamstring and hip injuries.
Jackson's $5.7 million cap hit for 2025 began the season 7th-highest on the team. And his cap hit jumps to $15.8 million next season.
The Dolphins could cut Jackson before the final year of his deal, but that would result in a $13.8 million dead cap hit and leave a void at right tackle.
However, Miami's dead cap on Jackson's contract would be only $4.3 million if he were cut after June 1, 2026. This suggests Miami could have some leverage on restructuring his deal to stay, as Bradley Chubb did before this season.
What Miami should hope for is that Jackson stays healthy the rest of this season and plays at an elite level.
When healthy, Jackson is fully capable.
As McDaniel says, Jackson brings ideal tonality, physicality and conviction.
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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Returning Austin Jackson gives Dolphins elite technique, violence
Continue reading...
It seems unlikely this is within his control, but, yes, Jackson's been injured too often.
This is the part where we tell you Jackson is about to return from a toe injury and regain his status as starting right tackle.
And more importantly, this is the part where we tell you Austin Jackson has been quite a good player when healthy.
In fact, Jackson has been an elite run blocker.
"His conviction is on the top end of any lineman I've been around in terms of he is trying to make a play by technique, force, and body mechanics," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of Jackson. "He's going after the opponent. That competitive, violent play style that he aggressively attacks people with, it's infectious."
Jackson, 26, has played only 38 snaps for Miami in 2025.
That's 5.96 percent of snaps.
Larry Borom has exceeded preseason expectations as a non-disastrous pass blocker, filling in for Jackson.
Miami Dolphins' Austin Jackson poised to return
But Miami has really missed the athletic and relentless Jackson in the run game.
The Dolphins are tied for 6th in the NFL with 4.8 rushing yards per attempt.
But the Dolphins are 28th in rushing attempts.
Would Miami have more rushes if Jackson and right guard James Daniels had not been injured in Miami's 33-8 season-opening loss at Indianapolis?
Well, yes.
The Dolphins have found some traction in the run game recently by utilizing Daniel Brunskill in a six-offensive-linemen package.
But ideally, the expected return of Jackson on Sunday, Nov. 30, against the Saints, will make that even less necessary.
"Getting him back into football and just into the huddle is a big deal for our football team, because he's not only a really good player, but he adds value to all those around him by his consistency, commitment, talent, and quite literally, I'm really fired up about his aggressiveness," McDaniel said.
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Paul has emerged as a trusted left tackle. Rookie Jonah Savaiinaea has made slight gains after an awful start. Aaron Brewer is a standout center. Cole Strange has proven at least a serviceable backup, filling in for Daniels.
The Dolphins are a much better run team when Jackson is in the game.
Miami Dolphins' run game impacted by Austin Jackson
Jackson is 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, and nimble. And he has been routinely spotted making run blocks well downfield.
When Terron Armstead retired prior to this season, the Dolphins did not hide that they believed Jackson was a key current and future leader of the offensive line group.
So Jackson missing the last 10 games has been painful in multiple areas.
In fact, a glance at Jackson's games played since entering the NFL is disconcerting:
13, 17, 2, 16, 8, 1.
"With ‘AJ’ back in the fold, it gives us a spark," said Paul, the left tackle. "He’s definitely a very loud and great leader for us. Someone who is very impactful in the game and just a great person to have on the field.”
Jackson has missed NFL action due to injuries to toe, knee, ankle and foot and he's also worked thorough hamstring and hip injuries.
Jackson's $5.7 million cap hit for 2025 began the season 7th-highest on the team. And his cap hit jumps to $15.8 million next season.
The Dolphins could cut Jackson before the final year of his deal, but that would result in a $13.8 million dead cap hit and leave a void at right tackle.
However, Miami's dead cap on Jackson's contract would be only $4.3 million if he were cut after June 1, 2026. This suggests Miami could have some leverage on restructuring his deal to stay, as Bradley Chubb did before this season.
What Miami should hope for is that Jackson stays healthy the rest of this season and plays at an elite level.
When healthy, Jackson is fully capable.
As McDaniel says, Jackson brings ideal tonality, physicality and conviction.
Miami Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks: Leads NFL in tackles. Zach Thomas is his ideal 'advisor'
NFL power rankings: Miami Dolphins slip to 22nd; Week 13 biggest risers, fallers
Miami Dolphins 'In The Hunt' How they can make NFL playoffs
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Returning Austin Jackson gives Dolphins elite technique, violence
Continue reading...
