DETROIT -- The Miami Dolphins lost Sunday’s game to the Detroit Lions. But Miami’s biggest loss came in the second quarter.
Dolphins starting left tackle Branden Albert went down with a potentially serious knee injury and didn't return to the game.
Several Dolphins players spoke on the loss of Albert Sunday night.
“Big, huge [loss]. I don’t even know what to say about it,” Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace said. “That’s a humongous loss. He’s been a great player and a great guy to have on the team and in the locker room. But we will hold it down for him, though.”
A strong case can be made that Albert was the Dolphins’ first-half MVP this season. The Pro Bowler solidified Miami’s left tackle spot and protected quarterback Ryan Tannehill's blindside. He was the biggest component to the Dolphins’ much-improved offensive line, which allowed just 17 sacks entering Sunday’s game. Albert proved to be worth the five-year, $47 million contract the Dolphins signed him to this offseason.
Perhaps in a preview of what’s to come, the Dolphins did major reshuffling on the offensive line without Albert in the second half. Rookie Ja'Wuan James was from right tackle to left tackle, while Dallas Thomas played right tackle and Shelly Smith came off the bench to play left guard.
“He’s like a brother to us, a big brother,” Dolphins center Samson Satele said. “It’s hard seeing him go out the game. I don’t know what the thing is with him. But hopefully he will be back and we have him back in the lineup.”
The Dolphins are expected to have an MRI on Albert's knee Monday. Chances of Albert returning any time soon do not look good. Miami (5-4) must brace for the worst with an upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills (5-4) on Thursday.
