Perhaps fullback Alec Ingold is just the man to rescue Dolphins' run game

MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has been trying to keep his leanings to himself when it comes to who may or may not play Saturday night.

Miami is hosting Philadelphia in the third and final preseason game and it would seem likely many key players will sit out.

But McDaniel on Tuesday did reveal one player who will definitely play:

Fullback Alec Ingold.

"Boom! There we go!" McDaniel said of the announcement.

It may not be as big as learning if Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Emmanuel Ogbah or Xavien Howard will play (don't hold your breath).

But Ingold's potential impact on this team is very underrated. In fact, it's possible that Ingold, a brute force of a blocking man, may be exactly what Miami's fledgling run game needs.

"Any time you step on the field, you have to strap up tight and you have to be ready to bite down on that mouth guard," Ingold said.

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Ingold was surrounded by cameras and reporters with notepads and was center stage interview subject in front of a Dolphins back drop on Tuesday.

"First time," Ingold said of taking Podium 1. "Let's go."

Ingold has not participated in either of Miami's preseason games. The Dolphins have averaged only 2.7 yards on 32 carries.

"That position in particular," McDaniel said of the fullback, "ultimately affects really all the positions with how to do their job, when you're schematically setting up a play."

The Dolphins have tried various tight ends in the backfield this summer without much success. Ingold was slowly returning from a torn ACL surgery last Thanksgiving.

For a time, he was practicing, but wearing a jersey that indicated he could not be hit.

"It'll be exciting to see him get some joint work without a red jersey," McDaniel said. "Which is, by the way, one of the more confusing things, fullbacks and red jerseys."

Ingold, once a linebacker at Wisconsin, has been craving contact. He's popped a few Dolphins (and Bucs) in practice. He's even tangled and wrestled with a few players, including notably teammate Christian Wilkins.

"It was like WWE," guard Robert Hunt recently cracked. "Top-rope. Elbow. Wilkins vs. Ingold? I'm about to take Ingold. I ride with Ingold. He'd put him in a choke hold and make him tap. That guy goes in there every day and hits. He isn't scared."

Ingold is a solid pass-catcher. But he can potentially help clear the way for Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert to break some long runs.

McDaniel noted that Ingold will be able to help not only the running backs, but offensive linemen, too. Ingold explained how.

"Lineman, they line up and they’re in the trenches," he said. "You’re nose to nose, face to face, facemask to facemask, and they’ve got those cages on. So they’re seeing things quick. As a fullback, I’ve got five yards to be able to read things, be able to see the defense.

"I have one of the best seats in the house. So any time there’s any late stems, any late rotation, in the backfield we can pick that up and we can adjust. Everyone is going to take responsibility for it but as a fullback, you definitely want to help the guys in front of you and then the guy behind you too.”

Ingold said the medical plan to regain clearance to attempt to destroy people has always called for a return to action this week. He feels ready.

“I’m full speed all of the time," Ingold said. "We’ve got some fast guys behind me. It’s a challenge to get out there in front of these guys and read quick. No hesitation."

Dolphins offensive lineman Michael Deiter played with Ingold at Wisconsin.

"He really is an extension of us," Deiter said. "And also a skill player. He's a hybrid. He'll knock the crap out of guys. He'll set edges. He'll combo with you. We can also hit him with the run and the pass in the flat and he can run with the ball."

There's been so much attention, understandably, paid to the impact that speedsters like Hill and Waddle may have on Miami's offense.

But McDaniel's scheme is predicated on a physical and successful run attack. Ingold acknowledges his style is the polar opposite of those guys.

"But I think opposites attract," Ingold said. "I think we’re going to have a smash-mouth, physical run game, and those guys are going to bring the speed and we’re going to mesh well. Hopefully I can open some things up for them. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to serve everybody else on this offense."

Saturday's preseason game

Eagles at Dolphins

7 p.m., CBS

Joe Schad is a journalist at the Palm Beach Post part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold is ready to rock and roll vs. Eagles