The news that Chop Robinson has a concussion puts the Miami Dolphins — already thin on the edge — in a bind if he cannot go in the Sept. 20 game at the San Francisco 49ers.
Robinson appeared on the Dolphins’ injury report as being limited in Wednesday’s practice in Napa, Calif. During the portion of practice open to reporters, Robinson was not seen wearing a red, non-contact jersey, so it’s possible he suffered the injury later in practice, which would explain why he was listed as limited on the report.
Robinson would face a race against time if he needs to clear the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol. The final step involves the player participating in a full practice with contact and without symptoms.
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Robinson had
a quiet performance in Miami’s 27-13 opening loss at the Las Vegas Raiders. His only recorded statistic was an assist on a tackle.
This is a pivotal season for Robinson, a third-year player trying to perform so the Dolphins pick up his fifth-year option. Robinson added 11 pounds and is up to 265 in an attempt to shake off a 2025 season in which he managed just four sacks, two fewer than in 2024, when he made the All-Rookie Team.
“I feel like people are going to look at last year and think of me differently,” he recently said. “But I know I’m a whole different guy, a whole different player.”
Pro Football Focus didn’t see it that way after the Raiders game. Robinson was one of several Dolphins with a 0 score as a pass rusher. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks received the highest score of any defender on the team. Uche was fourth.
In Week 2 the Dolphins pass rushers will be chasing 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who went 25-of-34 (73.5 percent) for 205 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Purdy’s passer rating was 105.6, 11th in the NFL.
If Robinson is out, coach Jeff Hafley could send Brooks and his fellow linebackers on blitzes. Behind Robinson is an undistinguished group of edge rushers who had a combined total of five sacks last season. Four were by Clelin Ferrell, whom the Dolphins elevated off the practice squad to face the Raiders. The other was by Josh Uche.
Behind them are Robert Beal Jr. and Malik Herring, who have a total of 2.5 career sacks. Other options on the practice squad are rookies Max Llewellyn and Rodney McGraw and second-year edge rusher Amari Gainer.
Not only did the Dolphins not sack the Raiders’ Kirk Cousins, they recorded only two quarterback hits, one by Brooks and the other by defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.
Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at HHabib@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: If Chop Robinson can't go vs. 49ers, where do Miami Dolphins turn?
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