The Miami Dolphins lost their Week 9 matchup with the Detroit Lions 19-9 on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, but the result of the game didn't mean nearly as much the loss of defensive lineman Zach Sieler.
Sieler, the 31-year-old veteran, ruptured his bicep early in the game and will now miss the rest of the season. After the injury, Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley addressed how big of a loss it is to not have one of their best players and leaders out there each week.
"So Zach, as you guys know, went to IR. As you heard, he tore his bicep, which is remarkable on the first play of that game, which I didn't even know at that point," Hafley said. "So I give him a ton of credit, not only for pushing through that game and playing really at a high level,
but just for everything that he's done in my early stages here. His leadership, the way he's kind of mentored these young guys, the way he's played and helped us get better in the run and the pass game. He's been a great teacher to them. He's been a great captain for us to lean on.
"And I'm just appreciative of the guy. We'll miss him. He'll be out for the season. You guys will ask questions. Is he having surgery? He's going to work through everything. So that will go on this week, but he'll be done. And then he'll be back around the players, he’ll help out our guys. We had a good conversation about that today. But sad for Zach, sad for our football team, but grateful for everything he's done and what he will continue to do down the road."
Hafley wasn't the only one saddened by the injury.
"Yeah, I mean just the type of guy he is, he's a captain. He went out there and risked basically his career for us and the whole season for us, so I appreciate him," Chop Robinson said. "I appreciate everything he’s done for me since I came in my rookie year. He’s always been a vet guy and being able to teach me things and stuff that I didn't know about the league. I'm super grateful for him and I'm praying for him and his family. Of course, it’s next man up, but I'll always have Zach in the back of my mind during this whole season."
Miami will need someone to step up. Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers will take on bigger roles on the field, while Joshua Uche is sliding in as a replacement captain.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley reacts to Zach Sieler's injury
