■ Cutler concussion situation remains uncertain,
DAVIE — Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler, apparently progressing in the concussion protocol, threw some passes while wearing a helmet in the early portion of practice Thursday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, coach Adam Gase said he would not eliminate the idea of starting Cutler if he had not gone through a full practice this week.
“Because of being a veteran player, yeah,” Gase said of the possibility of playing despite not participating in a full practice.
Backup quarterback Matt Moore has been taking first-team reps this week, and would still seem to be the likely starter.
“The situation is what it is and you’ve got to do your best to prepare the best you can and be ready to go when called upon,” Moore said Wednesday.
Gase said he’s still in wait-andsee mode on Cutler.
“Once they let me know what’s going on and if he stays in the protocol, however that goes, then I’ll go from there,” Gase said. “It’s one of those things I can’t do anything on it. I’m not going to rush.”
It’s always possible if Cutler is cleared by an independent neurologist before the game that he could be active, but not start.
Tunsil expected to be ready: Left tackle Laremy Tunsil has been sidelined from practice since Sunday’s game because of an illness, but Gase said Thursday he expects Tunsil to play.
“He’ll be better by then,” Gase said.
For now?
“I’m not going near him,” Gase said.
If Tunsil were unable to play, that would potentially slide right tackle Sam Young to left tackle and right guard Jesse Davis to right tackle, assuming right guard Jermon Bushrod (foot) does not play. None of it is ideal.
“This week has been a good test to move the pieces around,” Gase said. “That’s what we’ve been doing in practice. These are things you have to go through. Sometimes it’s frustrating in practice because you just want those guys to get their reps and have a feel for what they want to do. But then this happens, and it’s one of those things. It gives other guys a chance to get better and be ready to go.”
Mike Pouncey has played every game at center for the Dolphins.
But starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James is out for the season with a leg injury. Left guard Ted Larsen missed the first eight games of this season because of a biceps injury.
And Davis, who has been one of the few bright spots on the line, has been unable to settle in at either left guard, right guard or right tackle.
“It feels like once he gets going in one spot, something happens and he’s got to move to a different spot,” Gase said. “Last week, I thought he was playing well at right tackle. And then you get thrown in there (at right guard) and all of the sudden 93 (Gerald McCoy) is over you and now all of the sudden it’s a different animal. Now you’ve gone from I feel good to going against one of the best players in the league coming at you.”
Davis has impressed so much it leads one to wonder if it could impact Miami’s decision on James’ contract. Miami holds a one-year option on James, but they could bypass it without a cap hit.
Injury report: There was no sign of Bushrod (foot) or defensive lineman William Hayes (back) at Thursday’s practice.
Linebacker Stephone Anthony (quad) returned to practice participation.
It seems less likely now that Bushrod or Hayes will play. If Hayes can’t go, that could have a big impact because he’s been one of Miami’s most consistent defensive players, especially against the run.