Dolphins Star Defender Ruled Out of Week 8 After Being Poked in Eye

As the Miami Dolphins get ready for their Week 8 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, they will be without star defensive tackle Zach Sieler. He suffered a fractured orbital bone in practice and will miss this week.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported the news on social media.

Both Sieler and the team are currently figuring out how to proceed with his treatment.

It will determine the length of time that he ultimately misses as all timelines are different for orbital bone fractures.

Losing Sieler for this game is a massive loss for the Dolphins as he has been one of the catalysts for the defense this season. He has posted 18 total tackles this year with two sacks and one interception.

The former Ferris State product has found a home with the Dolphins over the last few years following a short stint with the Baltimore Ravens. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by Baltimore.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 22: Zach Sieler #92 celebrates with Jordan Poyer #21 of the Miami Dolphins after an interception during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 22, 2024... Photo by Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images

With him gone for this game, others will need to step things up. Arizona averages 150.3 rushing yards per game (ranking sixth), and 5.45 yards per carry (second in the NFL).

Miami will do their best to contain the Cardinals' explosive offensive attack but it could be a long day defensively. Sieler was one of their better run defenders so his absence in this game could be a huge detriment to the Dolphins' chances.

Luckily for the Dolphins, they will be getting back starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for this game.

Read more: Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa Finally Cleared to Start, Will Play Against Cardinals

His return should help negate the loss on the defense as the offense likely will get a shot in the arm. Miami has looked awful offensively since Tagovailoa went down but with him back, they are hopeful to return to being one of the more dynamic units in the NFL.

Miami sits with a record of 2-4 on the season and needs to turn things around as soon as possible. The playoffs are still within reach but wins need to pile up quickly.

If they can take down the Cardinals, it would be a great start to their quest to make the playoffs. They take on the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and Las Vegas Raiders over the next few weeks, giving themselves a good opportunity to stack up some wins.

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