Tunsil ‘hurting’ but says he’ll play
Guard wore brace to protect his shoulder against the Ravens.
DAVIE — Laremy Tunsil didn’t put a percentage on it, but he didn’t have to. There’s no doubt the rookie guard is playing in pain because of a shoulder injury.
“I mean, I’m hurting,” Tunsil said Thursday. “I’m hurting bad, but you know I’m going to fight through it. I’m going to give it all I’ve got. At the end of the day, I’m here to help the team any way I can. We’re trying to win games. We’re trying to get to the playoff spot, so whatever I can do, I’m going to help.”
Tunsi l mi s s e d t he S a n Francisco game but returned to face the Baltimore Ravens wearing a brace and was called for three penalties. Still, his mentor, veteran left tackle Branden Albert, said Tunsil is “one of the best talents in the league” even at 60 percent. And coach Adam Gase credited both linemen for playing hurt.
“A ton of respect for those guys,” Gase said. “I think it’s a tough sport, tough game, and guys have the opportunities to either play tough and play through pain or try to sit out an extra week until they’re healthy. Both those guys really stepped up big.”
The demands on one’s b o d y i s a r e a l i t y o f p r o football Tunsil has come to accept.
“It’s very demanding and it’s a very long season, coming off a college season where the season actually ends last week,” he said. “And the people who come in here, like the rookies, are not used to that. It’s something you’ve got to adjust to quick.”
Tunsil has only 10 NFL games’ experience but sounds less like a rookie by the day. “I don’t feel like a veteran, but I feel like I’ve been here for a while,” he said.
It seems like light years ago that Tunsil was drafted in the first round on that bizarre April night. Going back further, to one year ago, he was thinking not about a playoff drive, but a bowl game.
“We just made it to the Sugar Bowl,” he said. “We had like three weeks off.”
To a guy with a bum shoulder, the notion of three weeks off is as appealing as you’d think. “Man, it sounds good right now,” Tunsil. “Sounds real good to me.”
Whether it’s from Albert, Gase or coming from the outside, Tunsil knows he has drawn positive reviews, even if he won’t publicly concur.
“I’m a humble guy,” he s ai d. “I don’t l i ke to t al k about myself at all. I’m not that type of guy to really just look at my game and say, ‘I’m good at this,’ because as soon as you say that, there’s somebody out there that’s better than you. As soon as you say, ‘Hey, I’m good, I got this,’ you’re messing up again.”
Alonso’s status doubtful: Miami Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso is not sure he will be able to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Alonso said right thumb surgery this week went well. But he is actually more concerned about a hamstring injury.
“I definitely felt it (hams t r i n g t i g h t n e s s ) e a r l y (against the Ravens),” Alonso said. “And then I broke my thumb. It definitely didn’t feel very good.”
The Dolphins are preparing Mike Hull to play middle linebacker if Alonso can’t go.
Alonso said Hull is a “monster” and a “freaking beast.”
But truthfully, Alonso has been Miami’s middle-of-thefield monster this season, covering sideline-to-sideline with speed.
An unhealthy Alonso is a major concern down the stretch. Alonso said his hamstring felt good all of last week but once the game started, it became an issue just two plays in.
“It’s always hard when you can’t go out there and play, especially this time of year, when every game is so important,” Alonso said.
Alonso would prefer if he had a cast on his left (not dominant) wri st , but it’s on the right. One positive is that four of his fingers are exposed and he could conceivably grip to some extent.
Injury report: The Dolphins had most of their roster available for Thursday’s practice, but there were a few players limited or sidelined by injury.
■ L i n e b a c k e r s J e l a n i Jenkins (knee) and Alonso (thumb) worked on the side.
■ Wide receiver DeVante Parker (back) and safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (neck) each wore caution jerseys.
■ Center Mike Pouncey (hip) remains out indefinitely.
■ Defensive end Dion Jordan continued practicing in full. The Dolphins have less than a week to add him to the roster or he will be out for the year.
Staff writer Jason Lieser contributed to this story.