Miami Dolphins Tackle Returns to Practice

The Miami Dolphins offense stumbled to an ugly 33-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13, but they should have one big reason to believe it won't happen again in Week 14. Left tackle Terron Armstead returned to practice on Thursday and aims to play in Sunday Night Football's showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill didn’t practice today with an illness. LT Terron Armstead (pec strain) practiced in limited capacity and said earlier today he’s hoping to play Sunday with a harness if he can.

Jaylen Waddle (fibula) & Chargers’ Mike Williams (ankle) full go at practice

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 8, 2022

Armstead missed Sunday's loss to the 49ers due to a pec strain suffered in the Dolphins' Week 12 30-15 win over the Houston Texans. In his absence, the 49ers defense harrassed Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa relentlessly, sacking him three times and forcing him into three turnovers.

Armstead's return should go a long way toward helping the Dolphins offense bounce back from Sunday's ugly game. He was acquired earlier this year in part to stabilize an offensive line that Pro Football Focus ranked as the league's worst after the 2021 season. The solid play Armstead brings to left tackle is the secret sauce in Tagovailoa's emergence as an elite quarterback this season. The third-year passer leads the league in passer rating this year.

Armstead joined the Dolphins on a five-year, $75 million deal during 2022 free agency after nine years and three Pro Bowls with the New Orleans Saints. Armstead was a key contributor to five consecutive top-five scoring offenses for the Saints from 2016 to 2020, but nagging injury issues kept New Orleans from committing to him on another long-term deal. Their loss has been the Dolphins' gain.

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