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DAVIE (CBSMiami) – Back in October when the Miami Dolphins began their impressive run of seven wins in eight games, it was a healthy offensive line that was the springboard.

It led to better play from quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the emergence of running back Jay Ajayi.

On Tuesday the Dolphins announced that a key member of the o-line would not be returning to action this season.

Center Mike Pouncey was placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season after a hip injury sidelined him for most of the 2016 season.

That means Anthony Steen, who has already started seven games this season, will take over as the Miami's full time center.

After missing the first four games of the year recovering from offseason surgery on his hip, Pouncey returned and played five games before tweaking the injury during practice while the team was in California last month.

The Dolphins were hopeful that Pouncey's hip would heal enough that he would be able to play again this season but that just wasn't the case.

During his press conference on Monday, head coach Adam Gase ruled Pouncey out of Saturday's game against the New York Jets.

"He won't practice this week," Gase said. "He'll be out. I'll give you an early one on that one."

It was strange for a decision to be made so early in the week, though it made a lot more sense after Tuesday's IR designation.

Instead of pushing him further and risking further damage to the hip, Miami decision makers felt it wiser to shut Pouncey down and instead focus on the big picture of salvaging whatever they can out of his career.

It wasn't that long ago that Pouncey was drafted as the Dolphins selected the 27-year-old in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

One person that will surely not be pleased with this decision is Pouncey, who has said during the past two weeks that he wanted to get back on the field.

Clearly the Dolphins didn't think that would be wise and opted for a more conservative approach with the Pro Bowl center.

The team is hopeful that the injury will not be career-threatening and that if he continues on his current recovery path, he will be healthy for the 2017 season.

It's expected that the Dolphins will use the available roster spot on a quarterback to serve as backup to Matt Moore, who will take over as the starter following the knee injury suffered by Ryan Tannehill.

It's unknown if Tannehill will play again this season as he recovers from a sprained ACL and MCL in his left knee, but the team will need someone to play behind Moore.

Currently the only option is rookie practice squad QB Brandon Doughty.