Dolphins lose Adam Shaheen to COVID for Week 1
The Miami Dolphins will be without tight end Adam Shaheen and perhaps left tackle Austin Jackson for Week 1 after they were placed on the COVID list.
It’s only Monday morning, and the Miami Dolphins are already working from behind to beat the New England Patriots.
Word came down the Dolphins will be without reserve tight end Adam Shaheen and, potentially, starting left tackle Austin Jackson when they head to Foxboro this weekend. Shaheen will certainly be out Week 1 as he’s unvaccinated, which means he needs to quarantine for at least 10 days after testing positive. As for Jackson, his vaccination status is unknown. If he’s vaccinated, he must be symptom-free for two days and then have consecutive negative tests.
#Dolphins TE Adam Shaheen landed on the COVID list as the result of a positive test, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 6, 2021
No major symptoms, but because he’s unvaccinated, under NFL-NFLPA protocols he's out at least 10 days and will miss Sunday’s opener against the #Patriots.
A play in three acts: pic.twitter.com/j6af34f1oV
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) September 6, 2021
The Dolphins have placed two players on the COVID-19/Reserve list
For the Dolphins, a potential loss of Jackson looms larger, even if he’s struggle to this point in his career. A 2020 first-round pick out of USC, the youngster struggled as a rookie and didn’t look much better this summer in preseason action. Still, he’s the blindside protector of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and not having him against a quality New England front is far from ideal.
As for the Shaheen loss, the Dolphins aren’t missing much. Miami will largely feature star tight end Mike Gesicki, with Shaheen only having 12 receptions and three touchdowns in his ’20 with Miami.
Going into their tilt with the Patriots, the Dolphins are three-point underdogs on the road. The two teams played the season-opener in Foxboro last year as well, with New England edging out Miami in a late win.