Dolphins Week 1 guard James Daniels is questionable with an ankle injury, leaving Miami to lean on depth behind him as Seattle faces DeForest Buckner’s Colts interior rush. Daniels’ three-year, $24M deal aimed to stabilize the line, but he hasn’t played since early last season after an Achilles tear. If Daniels sits, Kion Smith could debut as the starter, a tall test given his minimal NFL experience (70 snaps in 2023).

Options to replace Daniels include Daniel Brunskill, who carries guard-start experience and scheme familiarity, and Larry Borom, who could slide inside if needed. Liam Eichenberg remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, narrowing the path for immediate backup help. This setup underscores how fragile NFL lines can be, especially against Buckner and a Colts defense eager to disrupt Sunday’s opener.