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In what appears to be the story of the Miami Dolphins 2017 season, the injury bug has once again struck, this time sidelining starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James for significant time. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, James could miss the remainder of the season with a groin injury.
#Dolphins OT Ja'Wuan James, who had been seeking additional opinions on his injured groin, is expected to be out an extended period of time. It could be the season, sources say. Bad news.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 10, 2017
This is terrible news for the Dolphins, as Ja’Wuan James has been the team’s most consistent offensive lineman throughout the 2017 season. Prior to the year, Miami exercised James’ fifth-year option, which would pay the right tackle $9.3 Million in 2018. It is uncertain whether or not the team will move on from the former 2014 first-round draft pick, but his loss will be a significant blow to a team hoping to make a playoff push during the second half of the 2017 season.
With James’ absence, the Dolphins could move Jesse Davis from left guard to right tackle. That is if the team feels recently activated Ted Larsen is ready to make his season debut on Monday. Miami needs to figure things out fast, as they are set to take on a Panther’s defense that ranks #1 in the NFL in most statistical categories.