“Miami Dolphins’ O-Line Takes Major Hit: Kion Smith’s ACL Injury Ends 2024 Season”
Over an 18-week NFL season, injuries impact every team, including the Miami Dolphins. Following their preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, the Dolphins suffered a setback as left guard Kion Smith sustained a lower leg injury. Tests revealed that Smith has torn his ACL, ending his 2024 season.
Smith, who secured a spot on the 53-man roster last year after two years of bouncing between the practice squad and the bench, was injured when his knee collided with the helmet of teammate Ryan Hayes during the game. Both players were trying to protect quarterback Skylar Thompson on a crucial play.
Smith’s injury is the latest blow to the Dolphins’ offensive line, which had already seen center Aaron Brewer sidelined with a hand injury earlier in the week. Starting left guard Liam Eichenberg had moved to center, with Smith filling in at guard. Smith, an undrafted free agent from 2021 who previously played at Fayetteville State, had been with the Dolphins for four years and made nine appearances last season.
With Smith out for the season, he becomes the first major long-term injury for the Dolphins this offseason. The offensive line also faces challenges with starting guard Isaiah Wynn on the active/PUP list recovering from a season-ending quad injury, though center Aaron Brewer’s hand injury is not considered severe. In Smith’s absence, Sean Harlow, who joined Miami after spending last season with the New York Giants, stepped in at left guard during the preseason opener.
The Dolphins’ projected starting offensive line for the fall includes Terron Armstead, Robert Jones, and Austin Jackson, with Armstead in the third year of his five-year, $75 million contract and Jackson having recently signed a three-year, $36 million extension.