MIAMI GARDENS ― Miami Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson has slowly worked his way back into practice this spring, following offseason toe surgery.
“Feel great,” Jackson said after Miami’s second mandatory minicamp of the spring. “I feel great. I feel fast, feel strong, feel healthy.”
Jackson, 26, has already played six seasons for the Dolphins.
When available, he’s been an above-average NFL player. But he’s averaged only eight games over the last four seasons, due to various injuries.
“The only thing that matters is what I do on the field, so that’s the only thing I focus on,” Jackson said. “What I do on the field will speak for itself, and everything else after that will come. But for me, I just focus on being healthy, being powerful, strong, fast and doing my thing on the field.”
The Dolphins would like to keep Patrick Paul and rookie Kadyn Proctor on the left side of the offensive line in 2026. But that might require Jackson staying healthy in 2026.
If Jackson were to sustain another long-term injury, Miami might have to consider a shuffle.
Jackson is in the final year of his contract. He fits Miami’s zone-blocking scheme. He’s athletic. And aggressive. And a good teammate. And hard-working.
“I want to contribute,” Jackson said. “I will contribute, so that’s my focus.”
Jackson says this latest injury is ahead of schedule.
“Even better, actually,” he said.
An offensive line of Patrick Paul-Kadyn Proctor-Aaron Brewer-Jonah Savaiinaea-Austin Jackson has a chance to exceed expectations because those players all have physical ability.
First-year coach Jeff Hafley wants to emphasize more runs in the run-pass balance with increase in player size and physical play.
“I think that sounds great,” Jackson said. “I think that sounds great, honestly. I know we definitely take pride in the run game here, especially over the last couple of years. Mike (McDaniel) used to say like ‘track team’ or whatever back in the day, might have got a little bigger, but everyone is still fast at the end of the day – offensive line, skill guys. I really feel like we’re the same team, but just enhanced and improved, if that makes sense.”
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins tackle Austin Jackson is key to offensive line