Make what you will of this: Of the four members of the Dolphins organization most identified with the franchise’s past four seasons, general manager Jeff Ireland will be the only one actively doing his job come Sunday’s season finale against the Jets.

Director of football operations Bill Parcells began emptying his office before the 2010 season. Tony Sparano got relieved of the coach job two weeks ago. And left tackle Jake Long, the regime’s first draft pick, No. 1 overall in the 2008 draft that perhaps dictated the course of the franchise, might be out until the start of the 2012 season with a torn biceps injury.

Long came out of Saturday’s loss to New England with an arm injury, which ESPN first reported was a torn bicep. Dolphins interim coach Todd Bowles didn’t really dispute that Monday when asked if that was Long’s injury.

“We’re still running the tests,” Bowles said. “I’m hearing rumors that he did, but we won’t know anything until Wednesday. Honestly, we were off [Sunday].”

It’s been a rough last season and a half for Long, who was ranked as the league’s 28th-best player in an NFL Network players’ poll a year ago.

He finished the 2010 season with a shoulder injury that at times almost removed the use of one lengthy arm, a key in pass protection.

Various injuries hampered him throughout the preseason, and back problems have caused him to miss the first two games of his career this season.

John Jerry, a guard by trade, handled the left tackle spot against Buffalo on Dec. 18 and Saturday after Long left the game.

“I think John did an adequate job,” Bowles said. “You always miss a presence like Jake. There’s not a big drop-off there with John. We did some things. We ran the ball well. Just thought those guys in the second half on the other side made the plays that we made in the first half.”

While the offensive line jumbles haven’t been a detriment to the running game — the Dolphins are ninth in rushing, and Reggie Bush ran for his 203 yards against Buffalo with Long out — the pass protection could be charitably described as “porous.”

Granted, pass protection includes tight ends chipping or kept in to block, blitz pickups by tight ends or backs and the quarterback not holding the ball like it’s a winning Powerball ticket.

But 51 sacks allowed overall, one short of tying the franchise record set in 2004, and a league-worst ranking in sacks per pass play allowed, starts with the offensive line.

“You’ve got to throw the ball in this league,” Bowles said. “You just can’t win with running the football. We’re not worried about the sack record or anything. We’re worried about protecting the quarterback. So from that standpoint, we just have to do a better job of keeping [quarterback] Matt [Moore] upright in the pocket.”

FORT LAUDERDALE —
So much for the Miami Dolphins having nothing to play for in the regular-season finale.

Not only do they get one more shot at the New York Jets, they are in position to end their rival’s season earlier than expected. The Jets need to defeat the Dolphins on Sunday at Sun Life Stadium to have any shot of making the playoffs.

“We have one more game left, which is part of our journey and we’re going to finish strong,” receiver Brandon Marshall said. “Try to get this last win and go into the offseason with a little bit of momentum and build off of that.”

The Jets (8-7) hurt their postseason hopes by losing Saturday’s game against the New York Giants. They must defeat the Dolphins and need the Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals to lose. A loss by either the Oakland Raiders or Denver Broncos is also required.

Despite the circumstances, the Dolphins say they need little motivation to play this game. It’s been their motto since they were eliminated from postseason contention.

“It just speaks to the character of the men in this room,” guard Richie Incognito said. “We don’t quit. We just fight and keep swinging. That’s been our mentality all year.”

Source: Long tore bicep

The Dolphins likely will finish the season without standout left tackle Jake Long, who a source said tore his right bicep during Saturday’s 27-24 loss to the Patriots.

Long, who made 62 consecutive starts before missing the game against the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago with a back injury, hurt his arm in the first half against New England and didn’t return.

John Jerry replaced Long for the second consecutive game, and will likely replace him as the starting left tackle for Sunday’s season finale against the Jets.

The Dolphins gave up five sacks to the Patriots and have allowed 51 sacks in 15 games. With two more sacks allowed, the offense would tie the 1969 Dolphins for the most sacks allowed in a single-season (53).

Three time Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long will miss his first NFL start.

Miami Dolphins left tackle Jake Long will miss his first NFL game against the Bills.

Long, whom the Miami Dolphins selected first overall in 2008, prides himself on his iron man reputation. He’s started 61 straight games for the Dolphins, but the back injury he suffered in last Sunday’s 26-10 loss to the Eagles won’t allow him to play in Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Nate Garner replaced Long last week against the Eagles, but it’s reserve guard John Jerry who will start for Long.

Jerry, who has played much better in the past two games, practiced with the starters all last season. But he’s never played left tackle in a game.

The Dolphins, which allowed nine sacks last week without Long, better have a good game plan because starting quarterback Matt Moore, who suffered a concussion last week, expects to start his 10th game of the season.

Moore practiced for the past three days after passing his baseline test, and has been cleared by the NFL to be active for Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff. It’s possible the Dolphins will use plenty of two tight end sets to provide extra protection.

Also inactive for the Dolphins is starting strong side linebacker Koa Misi, who is sidelined by a shoulder injury. Jason Taylor will likely start in his place and its possible Jason Trusnik or Ikaika Alama-Francis will inherit a larger role.

Alama-Francis is active for the third time today.

Will Yeatman will play in his first NFL game, replacing Jeron Mastrud on the active list.

Tailback Steve Slaton, defensive end Ryan Baker, and offensive linemen Ray Feinga and Will Barker are also inactive.