Miami Dolphins

Lack of depth at LB concerning for Miami Dolphins

Published Aug. 14, 2015 4:19 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Miami Dolphins went into Thursday night's preseason opener without much depth at linebacker to begin with, and injuries have made that notion even worse.

Presumed starter at middle linebacker Koa Misi missed the game with a calf injury, leaving Kelvin Sheppard to fill in at middle linebacker. Sheppard is experienced and shouldn't hinder the defense too much in Misi's absence, but the loss of two more linebackers could.

During the game on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, both Chris McCain and Jordan Tripp left with a pair of ankle injuries, leaving holes at linebacker for Miami. McCain is expected to be the starter at one of the outside linebacker spots, while Tripp is his backup.

According to Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel, Tripp is the more injured of the two.

Rookie Zach Vigil is next on the depth chart behind McCain and Tripp, although it's unknown how long the two will be sidelined. Regardless, the injuries raise concerns about the depth at all three linebacker spots.

"@hermancueva7: what about Tripp and C. McCain? » Chris McCain is fine. But Jordan Tripp looked pretty messed up.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 14, 2015