Nate

Garner

Nate Garner shined as a spot starter last week, but Incognito’s ankle has “responded real well to the treatment” the past few days. Center Mike Pouncey (neck) is also expected to play after returning to a full practice Thursday.

Garner can play four positions on the offensive line and is the Fins’ first lineman off the bench. We suspect he’ll start games at right tackle this year, because the Marc Colombo experiment is a poor bet to work. Culver is a career special teamer. Last season, he racked up 10 tackles in kick and punt coverage.

Garner filled in as the Dolphins’ starting right tackle after Jake Long tore his triceps last season, and played exceedingly well. The four-year veteran has appeared in all 48 games the past three seasons, making 13 starts while sliding all over the line. Still only 28, the 6-foot-7, 325-pound lineman could find a team willing to gamble on him as a cost-effective starter.

Although Garner made four starts at right tackle last year, he’s not back to fill Jake Long’s shoes by himself. He’s a utility lineman capable of playing four positions and acting as quality depth. Both tackle spots remain a concern for the Dolphins as they ask right tackle Jonathan Martin to move to Ryan Tannehill’s blind side.

Garner would be returning as insurance for a team that just lost Jake Long. Garner acquitted himself well in four starts at right tackle last season, but he’d almost certainly be coming back as a swing tackle, not a starter.

Garner could be a cheap fallback option if the Dolphins let free agent Jake Long walk and shift RT Jonathan Martin to left tackle. Garner has appeared in all 16 games each of the past three seasons, but made just 13 career starts.

This is the first we’ve heard of an injury for Garner. He’s still expected to be fine for training camp and beat out Donald Thomas for the left guard job. This shouldn’t have an affect on Justin Smiley’s tenuous status with the team.

Garner underwent a scope last week. He’s on the practice field Thursday, but is in shorts. Garner is on track to be the Dolphins’ super-sub offensive lineman come Week 1.

Brenner, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Utah, spent the first 10 weeks of the season on the practice squad before getting a promotion in Week 11. He started that game at center but has since overtaken Garner at left guard. Garner has been brutal as a run blocker in Pro Football Focus’ metrics.

“Since we cut [OL Josh Samuda] we have been non stop on [Garner],” Richie Incognito admitted. “Even [OL coach Jim Turner] is in on it. [Garner] looks like he’s about to cry 24/7.” This is ugly stuff. In one text, Garner told Jonathan Martin “Hey bro if u need to talk to anyone I’m here for ya. I have been dealing with this sh-t for 6 years. I hope ur doin ok.” Turner remains employed by the Dolphins. The front office should hand him his walking papers shortly, and Turner may never coach again. Despite this, his line played as ugly as these texts.