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The Miami Dolphins are hoping to find a way to keep Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey healthy throughout the 2017 season, something that has not happened since he played all 16 games in 2012. Last season, Pouncey was only able to place in five games as his hip issues resurfaced. During the team’s offseason training program, Pouncey spent every practice rehabbing and riding a stationary bike. Speculation indicated the Dolphisn coaching staff was having Pouncey work on the bike and part of their plan to make sure he is ready and healthy for the season. After minicamp, however, it was indicated that Pouncey had not cleared medical from a procedure he had on the hip.
According to the Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero, Pouncey will meet with doctors this week, prior to the start of training camp mid-week, in an effort to be cleared to return to football activities. The Dolphins and Pouncey both expect the 2011 first-round pick to receive the clearance, but it may not change how the Dolphins will use Pouncey in training camp and the preseason.
The Dolphins could place Pouncey on the active/Physically Unable to Perform list even if he is medically cleared, attempting to find a way to keep Pouncey free of the wear and tear of football before the season even begins. Even if Miami does not PUP-list Pouncey, he will likely see limited practicing in training camp. The Dolphins offensive line is dramatically improved when Pouncey plays, so, as head coach Adam Gase said earlier this spring, “You’ll see him out there in bubble wrap.”
Gase went on to add, “Mike doesn’t need a lot of practice reps. We’re going to do what we need to do to make sure he’s ready. After that, it’s going to be … I’m going to find out how many snaps we need him to take, if any; and then my goal is to get him out there on Sunday.”
The Dolphins’ rookies reported for training camp last week, with the veterans scheduled to report on Wednesday. The first practice, which will be open to the public, will be held at 8:20am on Thursday. Tickets can be reserved at Dolphins.com/TrainingCamp.