Cornerback Will Allen, a starter for all of his time in Miami, was hoping to win back a starting job during training camp after missing the final ten games of 2009 after tearing his ACL. Now Allen will just be hoping to play come week one in Buffalo exactly one month from today.
That's because Allen underwent arthroscopic surgery on Thursday on his left knee - the same knee that suffered the ACL tear last fall. Allen was practicing without restrictions since training camp began two weeks ago. But the past couple of days, Allen was suffering from some pain in that knee. Doctors decided today that now would be the best time to go in and clean up the knee a bit, giving him a month to recover for the season.
This ends Will's bid to win back a starting job from either of Miami's two second-year corners. Now the Dolphins just have to hope the 32 year old veteran will be ready to go for the regular season opener. He was slated, at the very least, to be the team's primary slot corner. And a quick comeback from this "minor" procedure will be important. The Dolphins can likely survive his loss in Buffalo. But beginning in week two, the Dolphins will face a number of teams who can throw three and four receiver sets at the Dolphins and force Miami to use their nickel and dime backs a lot.
Replacing Allen as the nickel corner in the evening practice tonight was rookie Nolan Carroll - who could really benefit from Will's absence. Jason Allen also figures to see more action now with Will out of action for a month.
While I'm actually excited to see more of Carroll, this team needs Will Allen to get back to full strength as sooon as possible. Hopefully his recovery goes smoothly over the next couple of weeks.