Largely unable to practice because of injuries this season, Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead could be headed for the bench.

He left Sunday’s win before the sixth snap and was visibly emotional on the bench during the first quarter, leading to speculation he might need knee surgery.

“We will let it cool down a little bit,” head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday of Armstead. “What that means for (playing Sunday), I will make sure my communication is steadfast with him.”

Miami might not have a final decision in place early in the week, but McDaniel and the offense know they’ll need to be fully prepared for a Houston Texans pass rush with 42 sacks.

Armstead weighed retirement at the end of the 2023 season and McDaniel said at the time he would afford the veteran enough space to make his own decision about the future. He ultimately decided to return for the 2024 season, but McDaniel said he was concerned Armstead was trying to play superhero Sunday against the New York Jets.

“I didn’t want him to put himself or the offense in harm’s way,” McDaniel said Monday.

Armstead’s replacement, Patrick Paul, played 67 snaps at left tackle and allowed two pressures and zero sacks.

Miami’s top armor protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Armstead rarely participates in more than one practice per week but missed only one game this season — a loss to the Titans — while pushing through a knee injury.

A 12-year veteran who previously played for the New Orleans Saints, Armstead played a total of 23 games in his first two seasons with the Dolphins.

He will turn 34 in July 2025 and is in the third season of a five-year, $75 million contract he signed in the 2022 offseason.