The odds of that happening during Sunday's season finale against the blitz-happy Jets, who have produced 34 sacks, are pretty good. That's especially true if Jake Long, the Dolphins' left tackle who has been selected to three straight Pro Bowls, sits out the game because of the torn right biceps he reportedly suffered against the Patriots.
It's unrealistic to expect Long to play against the Jets because of the severity and location of the injury, but interim coach Todd Bowles wouldn't rule Long out on Monday, pointing out the team's doctors are still running tests.
"Jake's a warrior," Bowles said. "At this point in the season, everybody plays hurt. If it comes to that, we'll deal with it as the week goes."
John Jerry likely will replace Long as the team's starting left tackle. Jerry, who started 10 games at right guard last season, has filled in for Long at left tackle for two games now.
"I think John did an adequate job. You always miss a presence like Jake," Bowles said. "There's not a big drop off there with John. We did some things. We ran the ball well."
Running the ball isn't the problem. Providing quarterback Matt Moore adequate protection is, as only the Panthers and the Rams (52 sacks allowed apiece) have been worse this season.
The Dolphins have allowed the quarterback to be hit 94 times, which is fourth-most in the NFL.
"You've got to throw the ball in this league. You just can't win with running the football," Bowles said. "We're not worried about the sack record or anything. We're worried about protecting the quarterback. We have to do a better job of keeping Matt upright in the pocket."