On the mend: Tunsil, James improving ahead of Colts game
Dolphins tackles Laremy Tunsil,
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil was in a playful mood, pretending to be starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James’ agent during an interview in the team locker room on Wednesday.
James was slightly apprehensive to discuss his injured right knee, choosing to stay in line with a team directive on discussing injuries.
Tunsil, on the other hand, was in a fun-loving manner ahead of the Dolphins’ off day on Thanksgiving — another day for his injured left knee to heal.
Both players have been steadily improving, and could return from their one-game absences to play in Sunday’s road game against the Indianapolis Colts (5-5).
Tunsil made his clear after jokingly James.
“Hell yeah,” Tunsil said when asked if he will play. “Let’s get it man.”
Tunsil and James practiced for the second straight day on Wednesday after using the bye week to try and heal, and not playing in Miami’s last game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 11.
Both players were injured in the Dolphins’ last victory, against the New York Jets on Nov. 4.
“I feel like both of them were good [Tuesday], and then [Wednesday], there’s a lot of passing going on and they’re working their sets a lot,” Dolphins coach stance representing Adam Gase said starting tackles.
“They’re in better shape than what they were last week — I know that.”
James said sitting out the Packers game to rest his knee was “honestly based off not wanting to re-injure it or making it worse.”
“As of right now, it’s day by day. That’s what they’re telling us to say, and that’s what it really is,” James said. “I am feeling better than I did last week, and the week before.”
Tunsil, who has been injured in two games this season, did not directly answer more questions about his knee.
“Oh, you’re asking about the Colts?” Tunsil responded playfully when asked about how his knee is improving. “They’re a of his pretty good team. We have to go out there, execute and do our job.”
Tunsil, James and starting left guard Ted Larsen were limited participants in practice on Wednesday.
Larsen, who has been dealing with a neck injury in recent weeks, also missed the Packers game. Third-year offensive lineman Jake Brendel could start his second straight game if Larsen does not play against the Colts.
Sunday’s game in Indianapolis is the first of six the Dolphins (5-5) will play in hopes of vying for an AFC playoff spot this season.
“That bye week came at a perfect time for everybody, to get everybody healthy,” Tunsil said. “We expect everybody back, and get ready for these six games.”