MIAMI GARDENS — A notable surprise on the Miami Dolphins’ initial 53-man roster is the inclusion of undrafted rookie center Andrew Meyer from UTEP. “I understand the dynamics with drafted and undrafted players, but ultimately, you have to carry yourself as though you belong here, or else you’ll never succeed,” Meyer expressed on Wednesday, just a day after securing his spot on the roster.

“Without confidence, you’ve already lost.” The Dolphins decided to keep Meyer partly due to the hand injury of projected starting center Aaron Brewer, whose availability for the opener against Jacksonville on September 8 is uncertain. If Brewer isn’t ready, Miami might have to shift starting guard Liam Eichenberg to center, with Meyer then stepping up as the backup.

Coach Mike McDaniel, citing strategic reasons, chose not to reveal whether Brewer has been practicing snapping, something reporters have yet to witness. “Yes, snapping is part of his recovery process,” McDaniel noted. “He’s progressing well, and I feel good about his future availability. What exactly does that mean? That’s not required by the league to disclose. No offense intended; it’s about maintaining competitive edges.”

If Brewer is out, Miami’s strength is compromised because Eichenberg is likely more effective at guard. Over the past couple of days, General Manager Chris Grier and McDaniel have consistently defended the capabilities of Miami’s much-debated offensive line.

“This group has instilled greater confidence in me regarding the O-line than I’ve experienced since my arrival here,” McDaniel emphasized on Thursday, reinforcing his belief.

These are strong sentiments from McDaniel. The Dolphins should feel secure at tackle with Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson as starters, supported by Kendall Lamm and Patrick Paul. However, the interior line remains uncertain. If Brewer is sidelined and Eichenberg takes the center position, Meyer, the undrafted rookie, would be the next man up.

“I stopped fixating on the depth charts,” Meyer said, referring to a crucial piece of advice he received during training camp. “Initially, it was a mental hurdle for me. Once I let it go, everything fell into place, and that was the best guidance I received.”