At 34, Dolphins’ Wake a comeback kid
DAVIE, FLA.— Cameron Wake is headed for the Pro Bowl again, validating his improbable comeback at age 34. With a surgically repaired Achilles tendon, he’s eager to take the next step — into the playoffs.
Wake has been in the NFL for eight seasons, all with the Miami Dolphins, and this is the first year he has played on a winning team. If Miami (9-5) wins Saturday at Buffalo , and if Denver loses Sunday at Kansas City, Wake is in the post-season for the first time. How sweet would that be? “We’ll see when it happens,” Wake said. “But right now, I’m thinking of one task. That’s Saturday — the Buffalo Bills.”
Wake, a former CFL star, tore his left Achilles in Game 7 last year. There were fears his career might be over.
The Dolphins limited his snaps early in the season. But by October it was clear Wake had fully recovered and this week he was chosen for the Pro Bowl for the fifth time.
“Aside from the first one, this one is probably the most meaningful, especially because of the situation that happened with last year being cut short and having to work tremendously hard all the way from last December until now,” Wake said. “To be able to be back on the field and help my team win, it means a lot to me. It shows all the hard work, the late nights, all the pain and suffering were worthwhile.”
Wake has 101⁄ sacks, making him 2 the only player with at least seven in each of the past seven seasons.
His nine forced fumbles since 2015 lead the league.
“He didn’t make his first start until Week 5, but he has had a great year,” defensive co-ordinator Vance Joseph said. “He has had 41⁄ sacks called 2 back. With those, he would be the leader in the NFL.”