Missed practice for Reggie Bush; status remains unclear

Reggie Bush injury: Dolphins RB back at practice, Week 4 status remains in question

After injuring his knee against the New York Jets on Sunday, Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush reportedly practiced for the first time on Thursday in an effort to convince the Miami coaching staff to play him against the Arizona Cardinals this week.

While the extent of his participation in practice is unknown, Bush was optimistic when asked about his prognosis on Wednesday (courtesy of the Miami Sun-Sentinel):

"That's something you've got to ask coach about because I'll tell you right now I'm playing Sunday, but I'm sure that's why I'm not the head coach. I'm going to do everything I can from a physical and mental standpoint to prepare myself as if I'm playing Sunday and, if I get the call and it's true that I can play, then I'll be ready to go."

Bush has been a pleasant surprise in 2012, rushing for 302 yards and two touchdowns on only 50 carries.

However, he's made it through all 16 games of an NFL season only once in his six-year career, so the Dolphins will have to be careful in bringing him back to the field going forward.

Reggie Bush injury: missed Wednesday practice for Dolphins RB

Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush did not practice on Wednesday, according to the Miami Herald, which said the team's leading rusher was held out only as a precautionary measure after suffering an injury Sunday against the New York Jets.

Bush will practice as soon as the swelling and stiffness are gone from his left knee. That could be by the end of this week. And if that happens, Bush might be able to play against Arizona on Sunday. The Dolphins don't expect Bush to miss more than one game at most, as I've reported previously.

If Bush missed Sunday's game against Arizona, expect Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller to replace him by committee, with the majority of carries likely going to Thomas. Miller, the local rookie from the University of Miami, is averaging almost 6 yards a carry so far this season, but is still unfamiliar with Miami's pass blocking schemes, giving Thomas a key edge as rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill develops.

Reggie Bush Injury Update: No Major Damage, Not Ruled Out For Week 4

Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush appears to have avoided what could have been a major, season-ending knee injury on Sunday against the New York Jets:

An MRI showed Reggie Bush did not suffer any structural damage to his left knee and he could play Sunday at Arizona.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2012

Bush went down in the second quarter of Sunday's game after starting strong with 61 yards on 10 carries. After his exit from the game, the tandem of Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller combined for 117 yards.

If in fact Bush plays this week, it would be a huge save for the Dolphins offense. Under new head coach Joe Philbin, Miami has relied heavily on the seventh-year back while rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill develops. Bush has not played in all 16 games in a season since his rookie year, and missed games in 2007 and '08 with knee injuries.

For his part, Bush was exuberant on Twitter Monday morning:

Received some great news today! Praise the Lord!

— Reggie Bush (@reggie_bush) September 24, 2012

For more on the Miami Dolphins, check out The Phinsider.

Reggie Bush Injury: Dolphins RB Avoids Serious Knee Damage

Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush injured his left knee in the second quarter of Sunday's game with the New York Jets and wasn't able to return to the game. According to the Palm Beach Post, the knee injury is "nothing season-ending" but will likely force the running back to miss a few more weeks of action.

Bush has a history of injury in that knee, as he tore his PCL in 2007, then both sprained his MCL and tore the meniscus in 2008.

Bush had been the focal point of the Miami ground game in 2012, and was the AFC's offensive player of the week for Week 2. Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller will be asked to pick up the slack in his absence. Both Thomas and Miller showed some good things on Sunday during the second half of play. The pair combined for 117 yards on the ground against the Jets.

For more on the Miami Dolphins, check out The Phinsider.

Reggie Bush Injury: Dolphins RB Hurts Left Knee, Leaves Game

Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush suffered an apparent left knee injury Sunday in the second quarter against the New York Jets.

His status to return is unclear. Trainers examined his left leg before he limped off the field.

Bush had 10 carries for 61 yards in the first half against the Jets. His 26-yard rush in the first quarter set up the Dolphins' only touchdown of the half.

This is Bush's seventh season in the NFL and second with the Dolphins. Bush has always seemed prone to injuries; he hasn't played all 16 games in a season since he was a rookie for the New Orleans Saints in 2006.

If Bush were unable to return Sunday, running back Daniel Thomas would likely be deflected the majority of the rushing attempts. Thomas, a 6-1, 233-pound back, had eight rushes for 30 yards and a touchdown in the first half Sunday.

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