Beal Is Questionable Again, and Miami's Linebacker Situation Has Not Improved

Robert Beal Jr. is listed as questionable this week, which puts the linebacker room back in the same uncomfortable place it has been for most of this season. The depth chart shows Beal first, Shaka Heyward second, Liam Anderson third — and that's the whole rotation. Jordyn Brooks, who signed a three-year, $51.3 million extension in July to anchor this unit, is active, but the group around him has been thin since before Week 1.

I wrote about this twice in early October — first when Heyward was added and slotted in behind Beal, then three days later when Beal was ruled out entirely and the room was down to its last options. The situation hasn't materially changed. Kyle Louis had his 21-day practice window opened this week, which is at least something to watch, though he's on injured reserve and there's no indication yet he'll be available.

The broader context is a team that is 0-5 and averaging a double-digit point deficit per game. Miami is 3.5 games out of the last wild card with 12 to play, so the math isn't gone — but it requires winning, and winning requires a functional defense. A linebacker room that hinges on Beal's availability week to week is not a stable foundation for a run.