Trusnik will step in to start at strong-side linebacker in place of the injured Philip Wheeler (thumb) for the Dolphins' Week 1 game against the Patriots, Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post reports. Though Trusnik is technically listed as the top backup to Koa Misi in the middle, he's viewed as the team's fourth-best linebacker overall, and will therefore get the start over Wheeler's primary understudies on the outside. Wheeler is still wearing a cast on his hand and was generally a disappointment when he played last season, so with an impressive showing Sunday, Trusnik could very well end up hanging on to the starting gig.