The Dolphins are holding out hope that quarterback Ryan Tannehill's knee injury will be healed enough that he'll be able to play in their playoff opener, but coach Adam Gase said Thursday, "We're going to be very smart."
Tannehill, who suffered a sprained MCL and slightly torn ACL in his left knee in Week 14 against the Cardinals, threw lightly and watched practice Thursday, wearing a knee brace, but did not participate, according to multiple reports.
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Gase told reporters (via The Miami Herald) his starting QB won’t be cleared until “I feel comfortable with what doctors are telling me that we’re not going to have any kind of injury that could prevent him from hurting his career or hurting his chances to play next year."
Though Tannehill was listed as a non-participant in practice Thursday, Gase said he threw "a little bit, but he’s not moving. Just out there keeping his arm loose."
According to the Herald, Tannehill has seen improvement in the knee since receiving treatment from renowned specialist Dr. James Andrews but isn't ready to play. And the Dolphins genuinely are uncertain over his status for their AFC wild-card game Dec. 7 or 8.
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Backup Matt Moore led the Dolphins past the Cardinals after Tannehill went out and has won his two starts since.
A Grade II MCL sprain, like the one Tannehill suffered, typically takes 4-6 weeks to heal, Pro Football Talk noted, adding that the ACL tear won't mend on its own and surgery remains a possibility depending on how the knee responds.
