What Will Miami Dolphins Do If Branden Albert Isn't 100 Percent for Week 1?

One of the Miami Dolphins' best offensive players is not fully participating with the rest of the team in practice.

Left tackle Branden Albert is recovering from a torn ACL that ended his 2014 season, and while all reports indicate he will be ready to go for Week 1 of the 2015 regular season, the Dolphins must also prepare for the possibility that he'll be less than 100 percent. After all, he'll be jumping straight off the couch and into the heat of the action. 

In fact, if James Walker of ESPN.com has an accurate read on Albert's health, there's reason to doubt whether he'll be ready to go. 

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I've had a chance to watch Branden Albert rehab his knee a couple of times during organized team activities and he looks far from ready. He's jogging, but Albert still has a big hitch in his step. Just based on what I see, I don't think anything is 100-percent guaranteed at this point, although Albert and multiple people in the Dolphins' organization are fully optimistic.

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The Dolphins should have some kind of contingency plan in place in a worst-case scenario. The problem is, they just don't have a whole lot of depth on the offensive line that they can fall back on. That's one of the drawbacks of the sticky situation they've been in recently.

For the past two offseasons, the Dolphins have desperately tried to rebuild their offensive line. They got rid of all but one of their starters from 2013, and the only holdover was center Mike Pouncey, who not only switched positions from guard to center but also missed the first six games of the season with an injury.

They rebuilt the group from the ground up, and now have 60 percent of a finished offensive line in place: Pouncey, Albert and second-year tackle Ja'Wuan James.

The Dolphins are still sorting out what to do at the two guard spots; rookie Jamil Douglas could be competing for a starting spot, as will second-year pro Billy Turner and third-year pro Dallas Thomas. But also according to Walker, the Dolphins are keeping their options open by giving some other players a chance to prove their mettle in practice.

The complexion of the offensive line at the start of the season is not based on who is best, but who is available, at least at left tackle. Given the importance of a tight bond between the offensive linemen, it makes perfect sense that they would try to get all their men on the same page—or at least the ones the Dolphins think will need the time.

According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, there have been some pretty interesting combinations on the offensive line in practice, including a starting unit that features (from left to right) Jason Fox, Thomas, Pouncey, Turner and James.

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Nothing against Fox, but the Dolphins offensive line could be in trouble if he is asked to play a significant role at any point in the season. He just hasn't earned much playing experience. Fox played 205 snaps for the Detroit Lions in 2013 before signing with the Dolphins in 2014, where he played 218 snaps at left and right tackle. His spot on the starting lineup wouldn't be unprecedented, but it would certainly be unwelcome by comparison to Albert.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins don't have a lot of other alternatives besides Fox. 

So, while Albert rehabs his torn ACL, it would be wise for them to get Fox as many reps as possible with his future offensive line running mates so that they can build the chemistry necessary to keep Ryan Tannehill upright. 

Unless otherwise noted, all advanced stats obtained via ProFootballFocus.com.