ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 22: A Miami Dolphins helmet at AT&T Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Likely to End Season Without Connor Williams for Dolphins
Due to Connor Williams’ knee injury, the Dolphins will probably have to use Liam Eichenberg as the starting center for the remainder of the 2023 campaign
Connor Williams, the starting center for the Miami Dolphins, appears to have suffered a serious knee injury that will probably end his 2023 season and may have an effect on his free agency.
Williams, a free agent who signed with the Dolphins in 2022, has started 26 games at center. On Monday night, a Tennessee Titans defender rolled Williams’ left knee up under, and it is thought that he tore a ligament.
Williams, a standout player on Miami’s offensive line the previous two seasons, was ruled out prior to halftime and didn’t return to the field until his left knee was protected with a brace.
Miami is expected to play its final four regular season games with Liam Eichenberg starting at center, even though the full extent of the injury won’t be known until Tuesday’s MRI.
Eichenberg has prior center experience.
For the Dolphins, Eichenberg has started three games at center and has also filled in for additional plays. After Eichenberg was compelled to move inside, Robert Jones replaced Robert Hunt at right guard, where the third-year veteran had started the game.
In the event that Eichenberg decides to permanently switch to center, Jones will probably start at right guard until Hunt, who is recovering from a hamstring injury he aggravated last week, is cleared to play again.
Alama Uluave, a rookie, and Chasen Hines are the other two center options available to the Dolphins on the 53-man roster. Lester Cotton, the starting left guard in relief, has also played center during drills.
The impact on Williams’ free agency might be
Williams attempted to coerce the Dolphins into offering him a multi-year extension by sitting out the entirety of Miami’s offseason program. He used his first two-year, $14 million contract to play this season.
Alama Uluave, a rookie, and Chasen Hines are the other two center options available to the Dolphins on the 53-man roster. Lester Cotton, the starting left guard in relief, has also played center during drills.
The impact on Williams’ free agency might be
Williams attempted to coerce the Dolphins into offering him a multi-year extension by sitting out the entirety of Miami’s offseason program. He used his first two-year, $14 million contract to play this season.
Although Williams was paid $7 million for this season under the deal, all the risk was transferred to the soon-to-be free agent, who was unable to afford to sustain a serious injury that would have an effect on his free agent market.
Williams, 26, has little chance of finding a market that puts him in the $10 million per season range, which is what he and his camp were aiming for on a new deal, if he has to endure a nine to twelve month rehabilitation process. Though it’s not out of the question that he could sign a good contract given that he might be well enough to play in 2024.
