Caleb Sturgis is fighting for his job, but he won’t be able to fight for it this weekend.
According to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports, Sturgis won’t be able to kick in Saturday’s preseason game against the Cowboys because of a groin injury.
Last year’s fifth-round pick was good early in the 2013 season, but has been inconsistent and plagued by injuries since then.
He aggravated a persistent groin injury before last weekend’s game against the Buccaneers, and John Potter hit field goals from 48 and 51 yards. Sturgis is expected to be back for the preseason finale, but Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said he wasn’t sure who’d be kicking in the regular season opener against the Patriots.
“We’ll see. We’ve got a lot of time, " Philbin said. “We’re open to anything. We haven’t named any kicker. I don’t know who’s going to be kicking for the New England game yet.”
Draft picks usually get plenty of chances, at least a year’s worth, but it’s worth noting that Sturgis was a pick of a General Manager who no longer works there, which could erode any support he might have.