Austin Jackson’s Return Reignites Dolphins' Ground Game - and Raises Big Questions for the Future
The Miami Dolphins finally looked like themselves again up front in Week 13 - and it wasn’t a coincidence. Austin Jackson, back at right tackle for the first time since Week 1, brought a level of physicality and tone-setting that this offensive line had been missing for months. After a 10-game absence due to a toe injury that required a deliberate ramp-up, Jackson didn’t just return - he made an immediate impact.
Logging 58 snaps in Miami’s win over the New Orleans Saints, Jackson wasted no time reasserting himself as the team’s most physical run blocker. The result?
A dominant 164-yard rushing performance on 32 carries - the Dolphins’ third straight game averaging over five yards per attempt. For a team that’s leaning heavily into a ground-first identity as the season hits the stretch run, Jackson’s return couldn’t have come at a better time.
McDaniel: “A Mindset of Violence”
Head coach Mike McDaniel didn’t mince words when talking about Jackson’s return. “He had a mindset of violence that we were counting on,” McDaniel said. “We put him at the point of attack for a ton of things… Overall, he probably exceeded my expectations to a degree and made us a better football team with his tonality.”
That tone showed up all over the tape. Jackson was moving bodies on inside zone concepts, sealing edges on outside runs, and even showing off his mobility on a crack-toss on Miami’s very first play from scrimmage.
Whether it was power or finesse, Jackson delivered. McDaniel called him “a convicted, aggressive” fit for what the Dolphins want to do up front - and it’s hard to argue.
Larry Borom had filled in admirably at right tackle in Jackson’s absence, especially in recent weeks, but the difference in physicality was clear. Jackson’s presence didn’t just stabilize the line - it elevated it.
Playing Hurt, Playing Through It
Jackson’s return is all the more impressive considering what he’s playing through. After the game, he acknowledged that the injury is “in the turf toe realm,” describing it as “the bones in the big toe a little cracky.” He also confirmed he’ll need surgery once the season ends.
McDaniel added that Jackson’s injury was serious enough that most players would’ve been shut down for the year. Instead, Jackson pushed to get back on the field - and delivered.
According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just three pressures and no sacks in his first game back. That’s not just passable - that’s high-level production for a guy returning from a significant foot issue.
What Comes Next?
In the short term, Jackson’s return gives the Dolphins a real boost as they push toward the postseason. But the long-term outlook is murkier.
Jackson is under contract through 2026, entering the final year with a $15.8 million cap hit. That’s starter money - and then some - for a right tackle.
The question is whether Miami sees him as a long-term solution or a short-term patch. The injury history is hard to ignore: Jackson has played more than eight games in a season just once in the last four years.
Durability has been a consistent concern, and the Dolphins will have to weigh that against what he brings when healthy.
There’s always the option of designating him a post-June 1 cut, which would allow the team to spread out the cap hit and soften the financial blow. But that’s a big move, especially given how clear his impact on the offense has been.
Because here’s the thing: when Jackson is on the field, he’s a difference-maker. He’s a solid starter at a premium position, and he brings a physical edge that Miami’s offense feeds off. If he can stay on the field through the rest of the season and keep playing at this level, he might just make the decision for the front office.
For now, Jackson’s return is a win for Miami - and a reminder of what this offense can look like when the line is whole.