Better every day
Tannehill: Shoulder ‘not 100 percent, but trending in right direction’
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill felt the pressure coming from Bills safety Jordan Poyer and stepped into the pocket for a deep pass to receiver DeVante Parker during last week’s 21-17 win over Buffalo.
Although Tannehill’s third-down pass was incomplete, he was able to avoid a situation similar to the one that resulted in his serious shoulder injury two months ago.
As Tannehill wound up to pass, Poyer was in position reminiscent of where a Bengals lineman was when Tannehill’s shoulder got pulled backward midthrow on Oct 7. Tannehill suffered an injury to his shoulder capsule and missed the next five games.
After his second start since his return, Tannehill said on Wednesday his injury continues to gradually improve each day.
The Dolphins (6-6) hope Tannehill can be the catalyst for a late push for an AFC playoff spot during Sunday’s game against the Patriots (10-3) at Hard Rock Stadium.
“The shoulder is definitely feeling better,” Tannehill said.
“It’s still not 100 percent, but it’s definitely trending in the right direction. Every day that goes by, it feels a little better. Every week that goes by, it feels a little better. I’m excited with how things are progressing there.”
Tannehill’s passer rating in his past two games — a 111.5 average — may not tell the whole story, but it is a nice indication of his performance since making his return. His passer rating was 94.72 in five games before the injury.
The Dolphins saw a 10-point lead evaporate in a loss to the Colts in Indianapolis on Nov. 25 after deficiencies on both sides of the football.
Against the Bills last week, Dolphins withstood rookie quarterback Josh Allen’s fourth-quarter charge after Tannehill threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Kenny Stills with 8:42 left in the game.
“I have a long way to go to get where I want to be,” Tannehill said. “I think I’m doing all right, but [there are] a lot of plays that I’d like to be better at. I think we have a lot better football in front of us as an offense.”
Tannehill will play his first home game against New England in three years, after knee injuries robbed him of the opportunities in 2016 and 2017.
Tannehill has a 3-7 record all time against the Patriots, with all three of the victories coming at home.
Tannehill said it is imperative for the Dolphins to not commit turnovers against the Patriots in order to keep their season alive.
“I think this team, more than any other team, they’re not going to beat themselves,” Tannehill said. “They’re not going to give you cheap flags, cheap penalties, cheap anything, really. So you can’t give them any. You have to play clean football and everyone has to do their job.”