The Dolphins have posted a 5-1 record despite having a below-average defense in 2023. That may change as they receive some key reinforcements to coordinator Vic Fangio's unit.
Key among them will be cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The three-time All-Pro was traded to the Dolphins during the 2023 offseason after spending 3 1/2 seasons with the Rams. He was expected to serve as the team's No. 1 cornerback after being Pro Football Focus' top-graded cornerback for the 2022 season, and he is projected to fit well alongside Xavien Howard and Kader Kohou.
However, Ramsey missed the opening portion of the season while recovering from knee surgery. It was always expected that his malady wouldn't be season-ending, but it appears that he is set to potentially return to action quicker than expected.
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So, when will Ramsey log his first action as a member of the Dolphins? Here's what to know about his return date, injury and more as he re-enters the NFL's top cornerback discussion.
When will Jalen Ramsey return?
Ramsey is set to return to Dolphins practice on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Because he is on injured reserve, that means he will have to be activated to Miami's 53-man roster within 21 days of his return to practice.
If Ramsey isn't activated by the 21st day, he will be ruled out for the rest of the season. As such, the Dolphins must be confident enough in his progress to begin this process.
Ramsey's 21-day window will close Nov. 8, which happens to fall during the Dolphins' Week 10 bye. So, it remains possible that he could be out until Week 11 if Miami wants to play it safe with his recovery.
That said, Ramsey will be eligible to return at any point beginning in Week 7. However, he isn't expected to suit up against the Eagles on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 7, per NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe.
Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey will return to practice today, per sources, opening 21-day window to return off injured reserve.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 18, 2023
Ramsey will be eased back into action. He won’t play Sunday. But back on field, with a new cut he posted this AM, less than 3 months after meniscus surgery. pic.twitter.com/Txsb698Eut
Thus, Ramsey's next chance to return to action would come in Week 8 against the Patriots. He could also target a Week 9 return against the Chiefs, though that game is set to be played in Germany, so having him debut in that one seems less likely.
But all told, Ramsey should be back by Week 11 at the latest, barring any setbacks. And Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that he's "cautiously optimistic" that Ramsey would be on the field before the team's Week 10 bye.
McDaniel said he’s “cautiously optimistic” that Jalen Ramsey will play before the Dolphins’ Week 10 bye
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) October 18, 2023
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What is Jalen Ramsey's injury?
Ramsey is dealing with a knee injury that he suffered early in Dolphins training camp at the end of July. He needed surgery to repair a torn meniscus that occurred during practice and caused him to be carted off the field.
The Dolphins declined to elaborate on a timeline for Ramsey's return in the immediate aftermath of the injury. That said, initial reports indicated that it could keep the veteran cornerback out until December. That would be about four months after he suffered the initial injury.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons outlines that the typical recovery time for a torn meniscus is three months. So, if Ramsey is able to return in either Week 8 or Week 9, he will be on the lowest end of that recovery timeline.
And even if he can't play until Week 11, his return from injury will still be an impressively quick one.
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Jalen Ramsey trade details
It's hard to blame those who forgot Ramsey was on the Dolphins as he remained off the field. He was traded to the team on the eve of free agency in March but has largely remained out of sight, out of mind since his injury.
Below is a look at what the Dolphins gave up to get the six-time Pro Bowler.
Dolphins receive
- CB Jalen Ramsey
Rams receive
- 2023 third-round pick (No. 77 overall)
- TE Hunter Long
The Rams used the third-round pick they acquired for Ramsey to select Tennessee edge rusher Byron Young, who was one of two players with that name to be drafted in 2023.
Young has found immediate success as a role player for the Rams, racking up 24 tackles and three sacks in his first six games. So, it looks like Los Angeles has fared well enough in this trade even with Long, a 2021 third-round pick, not having played a snap for the team.
The Dolphins' success in this deal is yet to be determined. But if Ramsey can help the Dolphins improve upon what has been the seventh-worst scoring defense in the NFL so far this year, then it will have been well worth it for the AFC contender.
