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The Miami Dolphins had one player initially named to the 2016 Pro Bowl, center Mike Pouncey, only to have him miss the game due to injury. While the team did have Branden Albert, Jarvis Landry, Reshad Jones, and Brent Grimes called up to the game as alternates, Pouncey, who was selected to the game for the third straight season and second time as a center, was forced from the game after a foot injury ended his season early.
At least, that is what everyone thought.
Pouncey made an appearance on the Dolphins' in-house media on Monday, speaking with Greg Likens. While the interview started about Jason Taylor's charity golf tournament, it turned quickly to the missed Pro Bowl. Pouncey said, "It was so tough. At the time, when I turned it down, none of my guys had made the Pro Bowl yet, so it was a tough decision for me."
Then, it turned to why he was forced from the game, and it does not appear to have been the foot. "I was glad I did it," Pouncey continued. "It put me a month-and-a-half ahead in my rehab from surgery. It's been going really well. I am kind of glad I turned it down, so it could put me ready by the time OTAs [Organized Team Activities] get here."
Pouncey just slid in there that he was forced to undergo surgery, a surgery that happened a month ago. That brought up this picture, which Pouncey posted on his Instagram account a month ago. At the time, it just seemed to be a picture of him on crutches, which could be a sign of the foot issue. Looking more closely now, however, he is wearing a compression sleeve on his right leg, and does not appear to have any issues with his foot.
Besides the foot injury, Pouncey has had hip problems in the past, having to have surgery before the 2014 season. There is no disclosed reason for the surgery he had in January, but the good news is that Pouncey believes he will be ready for OTAs, which should begin in May.