Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Tannehill assures everyone his knee is healthy.
DAVIE — Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill said Thursday that his left knee, which sustained two sprained ligaments late last season, is healthy and “back to 100 percent.”
“Feeling good,” he said after the last of three organized team activity practices this week. “Everything feels totally normal and [I’m] excited to keep pushing to get better next year.”
Although Tannehill wore a brace, he said it doesn’t affect his mobility or performance.
Tannehill — who went through all individual and team drills Thursday, the first OTA practice media was allowed to watch — said he thinks he’s fully recovered from the sprains to his anterior and medial collateral ligaments that he suffered on a hit by Arizona’s Calais Campbell on Dec. 11.
“I’m fully confident in the knee, and it’s not even in the back of my mind at all,” he said.
Tannehill had a stem cell therapy procedure during the offseason to promote healing in the knee. He didn’t require surgery and said physically and mentally there are no more hurdles.
Asked specifically about his ACL, he said it’s “really strong and ready to go.”
Dolphins coach Adam Gase, known for being cautious with players recovering from injuries, said Tannehill looks fine. “I thought he looked the same as the last time I saw him play,” Gase said.
Thursday’s practice was moved to the team’s indoor practice facility because of inclement weather. Tannehill, who had 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a career-best 93.5 passer rating last season, appeared to go through every drill with relative ease, just as the Dolphins say he did during informal passing workouts he organized before OTAs.
There was a relatively close call Wednesday involving Tannehill. Apparently the defensive linemen got a little too close during a pass rushing drill. Defensive end Andre Branch said Gase will inform defensive players when they’re getting too close to a quarterback.
“And then [Wednesday] we kind of got too close … it won’t happen again,” Branch said with a smile.
Injury updates
A few Dolphins players were held out of practice Thursday, among them right tackle Ja’Wuan James, right guard Jermon Bushrod, linebacker Koa Misi, defensive end
William Hayes. All had what Gase described as minor injuries.
Also among the injury concerns, center Mike
Pouncey was in uniform but didn’t participate in individual drills or team activities.
Gase said there’s no rush to put those players on the field.
“We’re not going to see how tough they are in May and June,” Gase said.
Branch likes relaxed rules
Defensive end Andre
Branch seems excited the NFL has relaxed its rules on end zone celebrations.
“Best thing I’ve heard in years … it should be some good ones out there this year,” he said. “We’ll be competing against everybody.”
Tunsil bullish on Harris
Left tackle Laremy
Tunsil, last year’s firstround pick, spent time facing defensive end Charles
Harris, this year’s firstround pick.
Tunsil’s assessment: “I think he’s got an overall game. He knows how to turn his hips. He’s good with his hands and he’s quick off the ball. He’s a good pass rusher now. He’s nice.”
The ring
Cornerback Byron
Maxwell attended Clemson, just like fellow cornerback Cordrea Tankersley, the Dolphins’ third-round pick.
Tankersley was a member of the Tigers’ national title team this year and said that when he showed Maxwell his championship ring, Maxwell reacted as though he’d never seen one.
Maxwell confirmed that account.
“No, he wasn’t exaggerating,” Maxwell said. “I felt like I won when they won. That was one of the best times of my life. I was actually there. Like I said, I felt like I won, like I was part of it”