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The Miami Dolphins offense lost a big part - figuratively and literally - last year when left tackle Branden Albert was lost for the season in early November. Albert tore his ACL and MCL and was placed on Injured Reserve, ending what appeared to be a Pro Bowl caliber season in progress. Albert was injured on a play against the Detroit Lions in Week 10 when his leg was rolled upon from behind, sending the 6-foot-6, 316 pound lineman tumbling awkwardly over his own knee.
After having surgery, Albert has been rehabbing and working toward a return to the Dolphins, the team that signed him to a five-year, $47 million contract in March 2014.
This week, however, a report seemed to indicate Albert does not believe he will be ready for the season opener in September. According to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Albert was asked recently if he will be ready for the game, to which the 2013 Pro Bowler responded, "I hope I'll be able to play the first game; I just don't know. We'll see."
The doctors, meanwhile, seem to be optimistic that Albert will be ready to play. Jackson went on to describe Albert, who was attending the Dolphins Cycling Challenge kickoff party on Friday night, as "limping but walking without assistance."
The Dolphins need Albert back on the field in 2015, locking down quarterback Ryan Tannehill's blindside and moving last year's first-round draft choice, Ja'Wuan James, back to his natural right tackle position.
Albert on Monday appeared to directly target Jackson's report, however, when safety Louis Delmas posted a video of Albert running on a treadmill to Instagram, which Albert shared on Twitter.
http://t.co/OLYL2Sz8bO me and boy Delmas just working #holddat #ialwayshadalimpwheniwalked #reportthat
— Branden Albert (@B_Albert71) February 9, 2015
With the hashtag "#ialwayshadalimpwheniwalked," Albert was obviously referencing the Jackson report. The assumption, by sharing the video and saying what he did, is that Albert feels he will be ready for the season opener - which will obviously be a huge boost to the Dolphins, who will look to Albert, James, and Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey to form the foundation of an improved offensive line in 2015.