Isaiah Wynn hadn’t played meaningful football since October 2023.
That, of course, was when the guard sustained a quadriceps injury that caused him to miss not only the rest of the season but most of 2024 as well. So when Wynn drew the start Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, the seven-year veteran was just happy to be back out there.
“It definitely felt good being back out there with the team, being able to help contribute in any way, shape or form I can,” Wynn said.
Wynn rotated with Liam Eichenberg at right guard on Sunday, a move designed to ease the University of Georgia product into the lineup. Both fared well against the 49ers stout defensive line – Wynn and Eichenberg graded at 70.3 and 70.4, according to Pro Football Focus – which was a good sign considering how frequently San Francisco made subs at that position.
“Both [Wynn] and Liam did a phenomenal job in the rotation process,” coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday. “I thought that helped him execute at a level I think he was proud of and we were very proud of, and I also think it helped Liam’s game. I think they are both very important contributors to our offense.”
McDaniel also didn’t rule out another right guard rotation for Sunday’s matchup with the Cleveland Browns.
“I think their ability to execute against the matchups this week will kind of dictate how we go about it,” McDaniel said before joking that “we might play Isaiah Wynn as X receiver, you just never know.”
Part of why the rotation worked so well was that it gave each player a bit of rest. Obviously Wynn hadn’t lined up against anybody who wasn’t in an aqua jersey for more than a year. Eichenberg, on the other hand, has dealt with a shoulder injury throughout the season so the rest allowed him “to be a little bit fresher at the point of attack,” according to McDaniel.
Then there’s the inherent competitive spirit present in both players.
“It keeps your competitive urge going on top of all the other reasons, because you’re trying to make right of your opportunities knowing that you have another starting lineman that’s going to come in and have similar opportunities,” McDaniel said. “I think all the things played a part that I though overall we got very good play from our right guard spot from the whole game, and that has to do with how they attacked all of that.”
Wynn even had a key block that helped spring tailback De’Von Achane for his 50-yard touchdown run that sealed Sunday’s victory.
“Any time we execute our blocks the way it’s supposed to be, that’s a great feeling,” Wynn said. “So being able to give our backs or whoever has the ball space and opportunity, that’s all they need. It’s not like they need a lot because of how talented they are, but definitely, it was a good feeling to seal that off on my side.”
Eichenberg had previously started all 14 games for the Dolphins. When asked about the rotation following Sunday’s win over the Niners, the Notre Dame product had a team-first mindset.
“Whatever’s best for the team I’m willing to do,” Eichenberg said.
Both Eichenberg and Wynn’s contracts end after the 2024 season. The 2021 second round pick will become an unrestricted free agent in 2025 after his rookie deal ends.
Wynn, however, signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins during the 2023 offseason that the team decided to re-up this past summer. Although time will tell whether Wynn remains in Miami through next year, he wasn’t all too concerned about the future.
“I kind of don’t think too far ahead,” Wynn said. “We’ve got two games so really just one game and that’s this week. So that’s all I’m focused on and as I mentioned before, just trying to take advantage of any opportunity that I get to step out there on the field. Not too concerned about what the future holds.”
