An NFL season can be a grueling process for a player to compete in, as they’re constantly putting their body to the test from minicamp in the summer through the postseason in the winter.
For Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead, the last few seasons have put a lot of strain on him. He’s appeared in just 23 games since signing a five-year, $75 million deal to join the team in 2022 due to numerous injuries to his back, knees, ankle and quad over the last two seasons.
It’s no surprise that, at 32 years old, the five-time Pro Bowler hasn’t decided on his future just weeks after the Kansas City Chiefs eliminated his team from the postseason in the wild-card round.
“Just taking time away from the game,” Armstead told NFL.com. “It was a long season, up-and-down season for myself, physically. Getting away coming out of the playoff loss to the Chiefs, I haven’t even started that process. I’ve just been resting, recovering and enjoying family.”
This past weekend, Armstead took the field with five of his teammates at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, and although linemen aren’t needed for the flag football game, he did participate in a couple of events alongside his peers.
There, he got to reflect on the toll this season took on him.
“This season definitely was a challenge physically, probably this one more than the others this one stuck out,” Armstead said. “I’m feeling well, though, healing up. I’ve just been resting, recovering; I haven’t been doing much since the playoffs.”
Miami needs him on the field in 2024 and beyond, as Austin Jackson struggled when he was at left tackle earlier in his career and backup Kendall Lamm, who filled in for Armstead throughout the season, is set to hit the market.
If Armstead were to retire, tackle would immediately vault up to the top priority for the Dolphins this offseason. Hopefully, some time away from the game to recover will be exactly what he needs.