The
Proctor had been sidelined since the Dolphins' Week 7 victory over the New York Jets, during which he began exhibiting concussion symptoms. The injury forced him to miss the team's subsequent Week 8 defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots. After returning to the practice field on Wednesday, the rookie participated fully throughout the week, leading to his official clearance on Friday.
Impact of Proctor's return on the offensive line
The absence of the 6-foot-7, 360-pound lineman was notably felt during the loss to New England, where the Dolphins struggled to establish their ground game. Statistics highlighted the drop in efficiency, with the team averaging a season-low 1.74 yards before contact per rush attempt. In contrast, the team had averaged 3.09 yards before contact in the six games Proctor started this season.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik acknowledged the difficulty of the previous week but praised the effort of Jarrett Kingston, who stepped in as the replacement starter. However, the return of the 13th overall pick in this year's draft is expected to restore the team's rhythm. Slowik noted the unique energy and physical presence Proctor brings to the line, highlighting his ability to displace defensive tackles and his high-effort style of play that often sees him involved in plays well downfield.
Strengthening the left side
Proctor’s presence has been a cornerstone of Miami's offensive success this season, particularly when paired with left tackle Patrick Paul. The duo has been instrumental in the team's dominant rushing performance on the left side of the field. Currently, the Dolphins rank third in the NFL with 6.2 yards per rush on inside runs to the left, and they sit second in the league with 3.87 yards before first contact on those attempts.
Furthermore, the team leads the league in explosive plays on that side, with 23% of their carries directed toward the left side resulting in gains of 10 yards or more. As the Dolphins look to bounce back against Detroit, the return of their starting left guard provides a much-needed reinforcement for an offensive unit looking to regain its momentum.
