The Miami Dolphins are set to lean on their running game early in the 2026 season, and that puts De'Von Achane front and center. It also puts plenty of attention on the offensive line. But there’s another piece to the puzzle that may be just as important: rookie tight end Will Kacmarek.
That’s why Miami used a third-round pick on the former Ohio University and Ohio State player. Kacmarek’s blocking gives him a different kind of value, and it’s a big reason the Dolphins viewed him as such a strong fit for the draft.
Right now, though, his availability is a question mark. Kacmarek is still being slowed by an undisclosed injury, and on Monday he was working with a trainer on one of the outside fields while the team was in its stretching period. That came after head coach Jeff Hafley said before practice that every player on the active roster would be practicing, so it remains unclear whether Kacmarek actually got any work in at all.
The first official injury report of the season arrives Wednesday, and that should at least give some clarity on the injury and what his practice status looks like. NFL teams no longer list game statuses on Wednesday and Thursday, so the real picture usually comes into focus two days before the game.
For the Dolphins, the timing matters. Kacmarek hasn’t practiced since the preseason game against the New York Giants on August 22, which means he’s already gone more than two weeks without getting on the field in practice.
Normally, a rookie third-round pick missing time wouldn’t be a huge issue. This situation is different. Kacmarek is the only tight end on the 53-man roster with clear blocking ability.
Miami’s other tight ends are Greg Dulcich and rookies Seydou Traore and newcomer Justin Joly, and all three are viewed as receiving specialists.
If Kacmarek can’t go, or if he’s limited, the Dolphins will need more from rookie DJ Herman, the college linebacker who surprised plenty of people by making the active roster as a fullback.
The Dolphins are counting on their offensive line to set the tone for Achane, Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright, but they’ll need help from other spots on offense too. Kacmarek is expected to be a meaningful part of that effort, and his blocking presence will be valuable whenever he returns.
Ideally, that happens in the opener against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. For now, though, that’s still very much up in the air.
In Other News...
Dolphins Week 1 Plan Could Feature An Unexpected Rookie Factor
The Dolphins are leaning into a Week 1 plan built around the run game, with De'Von Achane and quarterback Malik Willis expected to carry much of the load behind a thin offensive line and plenty of multiple-tight-end looks. In that kind of setup, every extra blocker matters, which is why undrafted rookie DJ Herman has quickly become a name worth watching after making the 53-man roster as a converted linebacker turned fullback.
Hermans path makes him an unusual piece in the offense, but the coaching staff has already shown trust in his toughness and movement, traits that fit the role Miami seems ready to use. If the Dolphins want to protect their front and keep the ground game on schedule early in the season, Herman could wind up being more than just a developmental story. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Have 4 Injury Risks That Could Break This Season
The Dolphins enter 2026 with very little margin for error, and that starts with how much theyre leaning on a handful of players who sit right at the center of everything they want to do. A thin roster and a difficult schedule already make the season feel precarious, and the list of key names says plenty about where the pressure is coming from. DeVon Achane gives the backfield its spark, Malik Willis is central to the offenses direction, Austin Jackson anchors the right side, and Chris Johnson is one of the pieces the defense cannot afford to lose under Jeff Hafley.
For Miami, the concern is not just whether those players can produce, but whether the team can keep them available long enough to matter. Each one carries a different kind of importance, from protecting the quarterback to stabilizing the secondary, and that kind of dependence can turn a promising plan into a fragile one very quickly. With so much riding on a small group of difference-makers, the Dolphins are built more like a team trying to survive the season than one with much room to absorb a hit. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Quietly Added A Few Names Fans May Need To Know
The Dolphins 2026 season-opening roster against the Raiders has a few late additions that might not have grabbed much attention at the time, but they could become relevant quickly once the games start. Miami brought in nine players during the final stretch of the preseason and after roster cuts, filling out the roster with under-the-radar options whose value may come from flexibility more than name recognition. For a team that usually has to juggle depth across the season, these are the kinds of moves that can look minor in September and suddenly matter in a hurry.
Among the newcomers are edge defender Herring, quarterback McCord and tight end Joly, along with several others who were added to help wherever the need pops up. Their roles will likely depend on injuries, matchup demands and how Miami wants to piece together certain spots as the year unfolds. The broader picture is clear enough even if the final answer is not: the Dolphins quietly stocked the back end of the roster with players who may not be household names yet, but could end up being part of the conversation sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]