Ryan Tannehill indefinitely ‘day-to-day’ in return from shoulder injury

The Miami Dolphins won on Sunday with Brock Osweiler starting at quarterback after Ryan Tannehill’s shoulder injury worsened during the week. The team had been hopeful that Tannehill would be ready for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, but in the morning prior to the game, the coaches made the call that Tannehill would not be ready and Osweiler was elevated to starter. Reports indicated that Tannehill had an AC joint injury, but the team has denied that, saying his shoulder is sore and tightened up, but no further details have been released.

“He’s day-to-day,” head coach Adam Gase said on Monday. “Nothing has changed. We’re going to have to wait a couple of days and see if he feels better heading into Wednesday, Thursday.”

Gase was then asked if Tannehill would be the starter when he returns. Osweiler, in Tannehill’s absence, was 28-for-44 for 380 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for a 94.9 passer rating. “Yes, he will be the starter,” Gase answered, laughing as he did. “Yes. Yes. You didn’t think I was going to anticipate that like that?”

Tannehill is 85-for-129 on the season, throwing for 972 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. He has a 92.9 passer rating on the season.

“It’s just such an unusual situation because last week, we started the week, he was sore, but then it got worse as the week went on,” Gase explained of how the build up to the game. “That’s why we found ourselves in a position we weren’t really thinking we were going to be in. Normally any time he’s been banged up or some kind of injury, he’s always progressed positively. That’s why we waited until the last minute and that’s where we are right now. We’ll see how this week goes. I’ll know more when I can see him throw again.”

The Dolphins believe Tannehill is still going to play again this season. “I’m not sure [if there is a chance this is a long-term issue for the quarterback],” Gase told the media. “I really don’t know. I don’t know the answer. It’s day to day. It’s really going to be about how he feels. We can be told by doctors and trainers, ‘This is what is going to happen.’ But, he’s been one of those guys that’s been the opposite of what you’re being told. He can say ‘I’m good,’ or ‘I’m not good.’ This was the first time we were being told one thing as far as this is unusual that he’s going the other way and then him actually agreeing that he didn’t feel right. Normally, he’ll try to go opposite of what they tell him.”

When a follow up was asked if he was confident that Tannehill would return in 2018, Gase simply replied, “Yes.”

At some point, Tannehill will return to the helm of the Dolphins’ offense. It could be this week. It could be in several weeks. At this point, it just does not sound like anyone is quite sure of when it will happen. Tannehill is indefinitely day-to-day.