The Miami Dolphins will be without one of their defensive leaders for the remainder of the 2026 season.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dolphins defensive tackle and team captain Zach Sieler suffered a ruptured biceps during Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Despite the injury, Sieler remained in the game and played 49 snaps on defense and special teams. He is expected to make a full recovery in five to six months.
Sieler, 31, has been a fixture on
Miami’s defensive line since being claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. He recorded consecutive 10-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024 and signed a three-year contract extension with the Dolphins in 2025.
Sieler recorded two sacks this season, both of which came against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.
With Sieler sidelined, Miami is expected to lean more heavily on its younger defensive tackles, including former first-round pick Kenneth Grant, fourth-round selection Jordan Phillips, and seventh-round pick Zeek Biggers, all of whom have been part of the defensive line rotation this season.
The news also effectively ends any speculation about a potential trade involving Sieler ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Prior to the injury, he was among the veteran players who could have drawn interest from contending teams.
