Tunsil plans on playing vs. Ravens
Rookie hopes to be at left guard if tackle Albert is able to return.
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil said Thursday he will play Sunday at Baltimore despite missing last week’s game with a shoulder injury.
“It was disappointing,” Tunsil said of missing the game. “I feel like I let the team down. Not being 100 percent. But that’s part of it. Coming from the college season to the NFL, you know there are going to be bangs and bruises. You just have to play through it. You have to learn how to play through injuries.”
Tunsil said he was close to playing. He tried to practice with a brace that he plans to use Sunday.
“I’m going to look like RoboCop out there, so don’t judge me,” he said.
Tunsil hopes to play left guard if left tackle Branden Albert can play through a wrist injury and return Sunday.
The Ravens defensive front is one of the best in the NFL.
“They are very physical,” Tunsil said. “They’ve been together for a while. That whole defense has been together for a while and it shows up on film. They’re a pretty good defense.”
Coach Adam Gase cited the chemistry and consistency that Albert and Tunsil bring and the options it gives him as a play-caller.
“It is nice that you can lean on a side if that’s what you want to be your point of attack, and protection-wise, you feel really good with those two guys out there,” Gase said.
Gase also seems pleased with the progress Albert is making at left tackle.
“He’s doing good,” Gase said. “I think he has a lot of confidence in what they have (wrist brace) for him. If he didn’t feel like he could function, he wouldn’t go. He’s not going to put the team in any kind of jeopardy as far as he can’t function at the level he needs to function at. When he says, ‘I’m ready to go and I’m good to go,’ I’m going to have a lot of confidence in that.”
If Tunsil starts at guard, he may play opposite Timmy Jernigan, who also attended Columbia High School in Lake City before going on to play at Florida State.
“Me and Timmy Jernigan were high school teammates,” Tunsil said. “He was in the 12th grade and I was in the 10th. And he used to just embarrass me, man. So I’m looking forward to this one.”
Parker status uncertain: The Dolphins are hoping wide receiver DeVante Parker (back) can play, but they are preparing to play without him. If Parker is able to play Sunday at Baltimore, it could be a last-hour clearance and it would be considered a “bonus,” according to offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen.
The promotion of Rashawn Scott from the practice squad to the active roster was the first sign that Parker’s availability was in serious doubt.
Gase was asked what adjustments would have to be made if Parker is out.
“I don’t see there being too much, bec ause we are prett y flexible as far as what we can do,” Gase said. “A lot of times, the things that we do are based off of what the defense does as far as our game planning goes. We’re able to move pieces around pretty easy.”
Practice report: As the Dolphins worked out in the bubble for the portion of practice open to the media, linebacker Jelani Jenkins (knee/hand) and Parker (back) rode bikes off on the side.
Center Mike Pouncey, recovering from a hip problem, was not seen.
Running back Kenyan Drake (knee) and defensive tackle Earl Mitchell (back) also were practicing.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said CB Xavien Howard (knee) remains “a week or two” from returning to the Dolphins’ lineup.
“It will be a challenge to figure out how to use him and Byron Maxwell and Tony Lippett at the same time,” Joseph said. “Howard and Lippett really haven’t played slot. Howard isn’t healthy enough to discuss the rotation yet, but they might be able to rotate by series.”