No alarm bells over injured ankle
Tannehill, team not expressing much concern about swelling
DAVIE Ryan Tannehill’s right ankle has become the latest cause for concern for the Miami Dolphins. But the Dolphins went out of their way to cool those concerns on Wednesday.
Tannehill — who suffered the injury during the Dolphins’ emotional win over the New England Patriots last Sunday — is expected to start this Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, Dolphins coach Adam Gase said on Wednesday.
“It’s been better, but I’m encouraged by how it feels,” Tannehill said after practice, in which he was a limited participant due to the ankle and his recovering right shoulder.
“It’s gotten better every day. And actually moving around at practice, some of the swelling was worked out of it. So I feel encouraged by where things are at.”
Tannehill was able to maneuver into his throwing motions and handoff the ball to running backs despite his right ankle being heavily taped as the Dolphins (7-6) began their practice week.
Dolphins backup quarterbacks Brock Osweiler and David Fales also took a considerable number of snaps during the portion of practice open to the media.
Gase said Tannehill is expected to play against the Vikings (6-6-1) “unless something crazy happens” during the practice week, which concludes Friday, when the Dolphins will travel to Minneapolis for the game.
With three games remaining, Miami is tied with three other teams for the final AFC wild-card playoff spot, while the Vikings are clinging to the sixth and final playoff spot in the NFC.
Tannehill has helped the Dolphins win two of their last three games since his return from a five-game absence due to the capsule injury in his right shoulder.
The Dolphins needed a miraculous, 69-yard gamewinning touchdown with no time remaining last Sunday to beat the Patriots 34-33 at Hard Rock Stadium, keeping their playoff aspirations alive.
The play was sparked by Tannehill’s short pass to receiver Kenny Stills, and completed with a 52-yard run by running back Kenyan Drake.
But there was a brief moment when Tannehill suffered the ankle injury during the first half of the Patriots game where Gase assumed the worst.
From his vantage point on the sideline, before Osweiler was sent onto the field to finish the final series before halftime, Gase did not expect Tannehill to return to the game.
“I really was shocked that he came back,” Gase said of Tannehill. “That looked bad, at least from where I was standing. Then, when I saw the replay, I thought it was a lot worse than what it ended up being.”
When Gase consulted with Tannehill during halftime, asking if Osweiler needed to play a series or two so Tannehill could test his ankle on the sidelines, Tannehill waved Gase off.
Tannehill raced out onto the Hard Rock Stadium field before the second half began to test the ankle, and played every snap of the second half.
“I love competing. I love being on the field with my guys,” Tannehill said. “If there’s any possible way that I can be out there with my guys, and I can lead them, then I’m going to do it. It’s not about proving a point or anything like that. It’s about leading the offense, and trying to go win a game.”