CUTLER IS CLEARED TO START VS. BRONCOS
DAVIE — Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler will start Sunday against Denver at Hard Rock Stadium after sustaining a concussion against the Bucs on Nov. 19, coach Adam Gase said Wednesday.
“He’ll be all right,” Gase said of Cutler, who practiced Wednesday after he was cleared to return from concussion protocol. “We’ll get a good week of practice. We need to make sure we get the ball out on time.”
The Dolphins have lost five consecutive games, with Matt Moore starting and losing two of those games.
Cutler wasn’t in the mood to talk about his concussion, his days in Denver, or the perception that he’s been tentative in the pocket.
On Wednesday, a reporter, citing Cutler’s recent injuries and Miami’s porous offensive line, asked if he feels “gun shy” or has “happy feet.”
“I don’t think so,” said Cutler, who has thrown 13 touchdown passes and nine interceptions this season. “Sounds like a loaded question.”
Cutler was asked how he is feeling and said, “I feel good. Thank you.” But
he said he did not want to “rehash” the play on which he was injured.
As for Denver, where Cutler began his career in 2006, Cutler told local reporters he didn’t want to talk about it, but acquiesced in a conference call with Colorado media.
“I had a great time,” Cutler recalled. “I still have great friends that came out of the experience. Mike Shanahan, being able to play with him the first three years of my career, I couldn’t have asked for a better head coach. I think I was very lucky to be able to spend my first three years there.”
Cutler was asked how his game has changed and how he’s changed as a man.
“Oh, we’re getting pretty in-depth here,” Cutler said. “Well, I’ve got three kids now, so you’re going from a single bachelor playing football to a lot more responsibilities, which makes life fun. My game, I’m a little bit older. I can’t move quite as well as I could when I was 23, so you’ve got to start refining things in the pocket.”
Cutler was a Pro Bowler in Denver in 2008, posting 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He lost his only previous start against the Broncos, 17-15, in 2015, passing for 265 yards, no touchdowns and an interception as a Chicago Bear.
With the Dolphins, Cutler has a 4-5 record and a passer rating of 82.7, which isn’t terribly off from his career record of 72-76 and passer rating of 85.5.
“We have a tough D-line we’re going against,” Gase said. “Well coached. Relentless. Probably one of the best pass rushers in football (Von Miller), so we’ve got to make sure it’s got to be 11 guys doing their job to make sure we get the ball out on time.”
Injury report: Moore, who started in place of Cutler in last week’s 35-17 loss to the Patriots, did not practice Wednesday, during the portion of practice open to the media.
Moore was one of many Dolphins who were not spotted. Mike Pouncey, Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake, Michael Thomas and Maurice Smith were also not seen, though a few of those players may be taking a rest day.
One player who did return is offensive tackle Eric Smith, who went on injured reserve Oct. 3 with a knee injury. The Dolphins do not have to activate Smith for the next couple of weeks, but like guard Ted Larsen, he could be activated if Miami believes he could help the struggling offensive line.
Running back Senorise Perry is still in concussion protocol, but he was practicing some drills with a helmet.
One new player seen was running back Brandon Radcliff of Louisville, signed to Miami’s practice squad, to replace De’Veon Smith, who was promoted to the 53-man roster.