Mike Pouncey practices for first time since minicamp

The Miami Dolphins got some good news today when Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey returned to practice for the first time since the team's minicamp in June. Following that event, Pouncey was forced to undergo hip surgery to repair a torn labrum, an injury he sustained sometime during the team's offseason workout program, but had tried to play through.

Pouncey spent the preseason on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list as he rehabbed from the surgery. The team decided to put him on the 53-man roster, rather than move him to the Reserve/PUP list, at the start of the regular season, assuming his recovery would be faster than the six weeks the PUP would have made him inactive.

The recovery timeline for Pouncey's surgery was originally placed at three months, which would be next week. With only one day of practice since June, it is not likely Pouncey will be ready to play this week as the Dolphins host the Kansas City Chiefs, though he has not been ruled out of the game as of yet. A more realistic goal, and Pouncey's original target for return, will be next weekend in London against the Oakland Raiders.

Miami needs the offensive line help as fast as they can get it right now. Starting right guard Shelley Smith was forced to leave the Buffalo Bills game with a knee injury. Dallas Thomas replaced Smith, and should be considered the starter heading into this weekend's game. Rookie guard Billy Turner, who has missed time due to a toe injury, also returned to practice on Tuesday.

Miami faces the Chiefs at 4:25pm ET Sunday.