There’s a very obvious silver lining to the black cloud that is Zach Sieler’s season-ending injury for the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kenneth Grant just saw his evaluation window hit the express lane.
They say that football is a game of attrition. The Miami Dolphins have learned that lesson many times in recent years. But 2026 has been, generally speaking, kind to Miami.
Until now. Yes, the Dolphins lost RB De’Von Achane for the season back in Week 4. But other than Achane, Miami has had general bumps and bruises. But no catastrophic injuries. That changed today with the news that veteran defensive tackle Zach Sieler will require season-ending surgery to repair a biceps rupture. His loss will hit Miami’s front hard — but there is someone ready to claim the snaps. The Dolphins need Kenneth Grant now more than ever to play like a first round draft pick.
The Miami Dolphins need Kenneth Grant to grow up fast amid the Zach Sieler injury news
Sieler is played north of 75% of the team’s defensive snaps this season through the first eight games. He won’t touch a field with pads on again this season. Enter 2025 first round draft choice Kenneth Grant, who started the season on injured reserve and has weaned his way back into action over the course of the last four games. Grant is averaging about 21 snaps per game — a number that will likely double as Miami folds Sieler’s snaps across their trio of second-year interior defensive linemen.
But Grant is the one. He is the one who needs to step up to the plate and help Miami absorb the loss of one of their veteran leaders. Here’s the good news: Grant played his best football of the season in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. Heres the bad news: he needs to play more and make more plays.
Grant’s physical profile is one that should allow him to make splash plays up front. But he spent his rookie season getting acclimated to using his hands effectively and getting off of blocks. There have been other times in which pad level consistency has been an issue, too. And, hence, here’s the duality of football. It’s a crushing blow for Miami. And to Sieler, who is a true gem of a player and a leader.
But his injury is also Grant’s perfect storm to fast track his development. If Kenneth Grant is going to be a success story with the Miami Dolphins, that process is going to start now. He’ll be logging two games worth of snaps at once based on his prior role and playing time — meaning he should be able to come out much further ahead in his development than he would have otherwise. It’s just another position for the Dolphins were the future is now.
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