Center may be out
Dolphins prepare to play without Pouncey.
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins don’t have any control over whether Mike Pouncey plays in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
That decision is in the hands of an independent neurologist, who is walking Miami’s starting center through the four stages of the NFL’s concussion protocol program.
Pouncey did some physical activity before Thursday’s practice. But he did not partici- pate in any portion of the practice session, which hints that Pouncey is still in the early stages of the concussion protocol program, which has been in effect since 2013.
It’s a four-stage process players follow as they recover. Some players can clear it in less than a week. For others, it can take months.
The final stage involves Pouncey’s brain activity being examined after he participates in a full practice. That means if Pouncey doesn’t practice today, he likely won’t play Sunday, In that case, Jake Brendel would likely start his first NFL game as Pouncey’s replacement.
“It’s important to work together as a team and to just be on the same page, especially with the four [other linemen]. Every snap we need to be on the same page.” Jake Brendel, backup center, on replacing Mike Pouncey on Sunday.
Since the NFL’s concussion protocol was enacted there has only been one Dolphins player — defensive end Mario Williams — who played a week after suffering a concussion. Most players usually need at least two weeks to be cleared.
Brendel, an undrafted player out of UCLA who has worked his way up from the practice squad last season, for the most part played well in his two quarters against the Falcons, according to offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen.
“For a center, that’s the hardest ballpark to go into because it’s on the road, it’s indoors, it’s noisy. For him to go in and us not to miss a beat, [for] us to not have to change anything was big,” Christensen said. “I thought he really played well. It was really encouraging.”
Brendel had a key role in Jay Ajayi’s two 18-yard runs on Miami’s final drive, which led to the game-winning 38-yard field goal from kicker Cody Parkey.
It was Brendel who broke open running lanes, making second-level blocks on the pair of runs that Ajayi made.
“You’re always going to have butterflies, especially in your first NFL game. But those go away as soon as you hit somebody,” said Brendel, who handles the center workload during practice on Pouncey’s rest days, which usually are on Thursday. “This is always something you work towards. You never want to see it happen like this, but at the same time you have to make the best of the opportunity.”
The biggest challenge Brendel will likely face against a physical Jets defensive front is identifying and calling out run block assignments against the Jets’ 3-4 defense.
Dolphins players and coaches were ashamed of how much the Jets dominated the line of scrimmage in last month’s 20-6 loss, which featured Miami gaining a season-low 30 rushing yards.
Miami’s run game success will squarely be placed on Brendel’s shoulders if he gets the call to replace Pouncey.
“It’s important to work together as a team and to just be on the same page, especially with the four [other linemen],” Brendel said. “Every snap we need to be on the same page.
“I have to focus on finishing and staying square, handling my business.”
The Dolphins do have other options, considering Anthony Steen started seven games at center last season. Steen has been starting at left guard this season, but Miami’s coaches could have Jesse Davis start at left guard and move Steen inside. Davis has more experience than Brendel because he spent the first three games of the season sharing the left guard snaps with Steen.
But coach Adam Gase is confident the job isn’t too big for Brendel.
“That’s what this game is about,” Gase said.”You’ve just got to go next man up and we expect that guy to play well.”