Austin Jackson and the Miami Dolphins: A Career Defined by Potential and Injuries
When the Miami Dolphins selected offensive tackle Austin Jackson with the 18th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, they believed they had found a franchise cornerstone for their offensive line. The former USC standout possessed elite athleticism, impressive size, and the upside to develop into one of the NFL’s better tackles.
Six seasons later, Jackson’s Dolphins career has become one of the biggest “what if” stories in recent franchise history.
There have been flashes of brilliance. There have been stretches where Jackson looked like the long-term answer at right tackle.
Unfortunately, those moments have been overshadowed by an inability to stay on the field.
And Monday of this week, the injury bug struck again as Jackson had to leave practice early, and head coach Jeff Hafley said on Tuesday at his media session that Jackson is now listed as “day to day” with this undisclosed injury.
Let’s take a look back, though, at Jackson’s career with the Miami Dolphins thus far.
A Rocky Start (2020-2022)
Jackson was immediately inserted into the starting lineup as a rookie in 2020, starting 12 games despite battling through a foot injury that cost him three contests. Like many young offensive linemen, he experienced growing pains while learning against NFL pass rushers, but Miami remained confident in his long-term development.
His second season in 2021 was his healthiest. Jackson appeared in all 17 games and made 16 starts, giving the Dolphins hope that he was finally beginning to develop into the player they envisioned when they drafted him.
Then came 2022.
Jackson suffered a significant ankle injury in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. After attempting to return the following week against Baltimore, the injury proved too severe, ending his season after just two games. It was the first major setback of his NFL career and raised concerns about his durability moving forward.
Dolphins RT Austin Jackson is “day-to-day,” per coach Jeff Hafley #PhinsUp
— c. isaiah smalls ii (@stclaudeii) August 4, 2026
Breakout Season in 2023
The 2023 season represented the best football of Jackson’s career.
Playing at right tackle in Mike McDaniel’s offense, Jackson looked far more comfortable and confident than at any previous point in his NFL career. He started 16 games, was far more consistent in pass protection, dramatically cut down on penalties, and became one of Miami’s most improved players.
The Dolphins rewarded that progress before the season ended by signing Jackson to a three-year contract extension worth approximately $36 million, signaling they believed he had finally turned the corner as a long-term starter.
For a brief moment, it looked like Miami’s patience had paid off.
Injuries Return in 2024
Unfortunately, Jackson’s momentum didn’t last.
After opening the 2024 season as the Dolphins’ starting right tackle, Jackson suffered another significant injury to his knee that sidelined him for roughly half the season. He appeared in only eight games, once again forcing Miami to shuffle its offensive line.
The injury reignited questions that had followed Jackson since entering the league:
Can the Dolphins count on him for a full season?
While nobody questioned his talent anymore, availability had become the biggest concern.
Another Injury-Plagued Season in 2025
The frustration continued in 2025.
Jackson started the season healthy and appeared in six games before suffering another lower-leg injury during training camp preparations that ultimately cost him several weeks. Head coach Mike McDaniel later stated the injury was unrelated to the knee issue that had limited him the previous year, but it was yet another chapter in an increasingly long injury history.
By the end of the 2025 season, Jackson had appeared in just six regular-season games before missing additional time with injuries.
Injury Timeline
Since entering the NFL, Jackson has dealt with an unfortunate list of injuries:
2020: Foot injury that caused him to miss three games during his rookie season.
2022: Serious ankle injury suffered in Week 1 that effectively ended his season after just two games.
2024: Knee injury that limited him to only eight games.
2025: Lower-leg injury that sidelined him for multiple weeks after another shortened season.
While every NFL offensive lineman plays through bumps and bruises, Jackson’s injuries have consistently resulted in significant missed time.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Availability has become Jackson’s biggest obstacle.
Through his first six NFL seasons, Jackson has appeared in only 62 regular-season games despite there being over 100 possible contests during that span. While he has started nearly every game he’s been healthy enough to play, he simply hasn’t been available often enough for the Dolphins to build continuity around him.
Why 2026 Is So Important
Now entering another critical season, Jackson finds himself at a career crossroads.
When healthy, there is little debate that he is Miami’s best option at right tackle. His athleticism fits today’s NFL perfectly, and his 2023 season showed he can play at a high level.
But after multiple injury-shortened seasons, the Dolphins must determine whether Jackson can finally put together a complete season.
A healthy Jackson dramatically changes Miami’s offensive line. He provides stability, improves pass protection, and allows the coaching staff to keep continuity up front.
However, if injuries once again derail his season, the organization may have no choice but to look elsewhere for a long-term answer at right tackle.
Conclusion
Austin Jackson’s career has been defined by perseverance.
He overcame early criticism, changed positions, developed into a quality NFL starter, and earned a lucrative contract extension. Unfortunately, every time it appears he’s ready to establish himself as one of the Dolphins’ foundational players, another injury interrupts that momentum.
Few players on Miami’s roster face a bigger “prove it” season than Jackson.
The talent has never been in question.
His toughness has never been questioned.
The only question remaining is whether his body will finally allow him to show what he can do over the course of an entire NFL season.
