Tua Tagovailoa is slim after weight loss, says Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel
Tua Tagovailoa is slim, says Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel
MIAMI GARDENS – The biggest surprise on the Miami Dolphins’ initial 53-man roster may have been undrafted rookie center Andrew Meyer of UTEP.
“I understand there are guys who get drafted and guys who don’t get drafted enough, but at the end of the day, you have to act like you’re supposed to be here or you’re never going to make it,” Meyer said Wednesday, a day after he made it to No. 53. “You’re going to lose because you don’t have confidence.”
The Dolphins kept Meyer in part because planned center Aaron Brewer has a hand injury and his participation in the opening game against Jacksonville on September 8 is uncertain.
Miami could use projected starting guard Liam Eichenberg as center if Brewer is unavailable, but then Meyer would have to step in as a backup.
For competitive reasons, Miami coach Mike McDaniel declined Thursday to discuss specifics about whether Brewer snapped, which reporters are not aware of.
“Well, yeah, that’s part of gripping, that’s part of the process of his return,” McDaniel said. “He’s doing a good job and I’m very happy with his prognosis. What is that prognosis? Well, it’s not mandated by the league. And no offense. It’s more about taking responsibility and taking advantage of competitive advantages.”
Miami Dolphins injury news: Aaron Brewer’s hand concerns
If Brewer can’t start, it weakens Miami, as Eichenberg is probably stronger at guard.
Over the past two days, general manager Chris Grier and McDaniel have repeatedly defended the effectiveness of Miami’s heavily scrutinized offensive line.
“The group in general has given me more confidence at the O-line position than I’ve ever had since I’ve been here,” McDaniel said Thursday, reiterating his statement.
Since he is in Miamisaid McDaniel.
These are strong words.
The Dolphins should feel secure at tackle with Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson as starters and Kendall Lamm and Patrick Paul as backups, but there are plenty of questions on the interior of the line.
If Brewer can’t play and Eichenberg starts at center, Miami would be one snap away from having Meyer, the undrafted center, in the lineup.
“I stopped worrying about rosters,” Meyer said of a key tip he received during training camp. “I worried about that in the beginning. Once I got rid of that, I was ready to go. That was the best advice I got.”
Miami Dolphins 53-man roster: Undrafted Andrew Meyer makes it
Grier is convinced that Meyer could make a contribution if needed.
“He’s got personality, he’s tough, he’s smart, he loves the ball, he’s a fighter,” Grier said. “And every day he just got better and better.”
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Joe Schad is a journalist who covers the Miami Dolphins and the NFL for 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. Support our work by signing up today.
