The Miami Dolphins have been without defensive lineman and team captain Zach Sieler for the last two weeks due to a fractured orbital suffered in practice. But Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is feeling good about Sieler’s chances at returning in Week 10 with an extra day of rest ahead of a Monday night matchup.
“I’m optimistic about that timeline,” McDaniel told reporters Monday. “You have to take it day by day, anyway, to accumulate information. But that was more safe of a timeline from his injury. So I feel optimistic about that.”
Without Sieler in the lineup, the Dolphins defense has put together two of its worst outings of the 2024 season. The lineman isn’t the only one dealing with an injury on the defensive side of the ball, though. Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips is on injured reserve, and cornerbacks Kader Kohou and Storm Duck have also missed the last two weeks.
Sieler, 29, sat out all of the Dolphins’ practices ahead of their Week 9 game against the Buffalo Bills. While McDaniel ruled Sieler out Friday, two days ahead of the game, he told reporters that the lineman was “pretty close” to being able to play.
“He will wear a visor upon return, but I’m pessimistic for sure about it and have planned accordingly,” McDaniel told reporters Friday. “What you’re worried about is further injuring and hurting – you need to be able to see and you don’t want to do anything to your eyes if you can prevent it.
“If it was just performance-based, I think he would probably be out there regardless, but you have to prevent him from further injury and that’s where the motive is.”
In six games this season, Sieler has recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits.
