Xavien Howard to start training camp on Physically Unable to Perform list

Miami Dolphins rookie cornerback Xavien Howard will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, head coach Adam Gase told the media on Tuesday. The Dolphins report to training camp on Friday.

Howard, the team’s second-round pick this year, was injured during minicamp and had to have his knee scoped, Gase explained. Howard was expected to be the starting cornerback opposite Byron Maxwell this year. He is expected to be ready to return by the start of the regular season.

Second-year cornerback Tony Lippett will likely move into the starting position vacated by Howard. Bobby McCain could also fight for the position, but Gase said he intends to leave McCain focused on playing the slot cornerback role.

The team can remove Howard from the PUP list at any time during the preseason. If he remains on the PUP list when the preseason starts, he will miss the first six weeks of the regular season. A player cannot be placed on the preseason PUP list if they participate in any practices, and they cannot be placed on the regular season PUP list without having been on the preseason version.