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Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffered a non-contact leg injury during practice on Thursday morning, but an MRI revealed no structural damage to his knee, according to Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network. But Adam Schefter reported Thursday night that the Dolphins are concerned that Tannehill may need season-ending surgery.
No decision on the surgery has been made yet, according to Schefter.
Dolphins coach Adam Gase acknowledged the option was on the table:
Adam Gase: Right now, Matt Moore is our QB. Surgery is a possibility for Tannehill.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) August 4, 2017
After Tannehill went down Thursday, he remained on the field for two minutes before two trainers took him back into the team’s facility with a limp, per Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post,
While one report said the MRI revealed no structural damage, another called its results “inconclusive.” He’s getting a second opinion, but the fact that his knee collapsed leaves reason for concern.
The problem stems largely from that the fact that injury was to his left knee, the same one that he injured last season and opted not to surgically repair:
Source tells me Ryan Tannehill injury is indeed the left knee. Still trying to get certainty as to extent of the problem.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 3, 2017
The severity of the injury wasn’t immediately revealed, but the Dolphins were reportedly concerned enough to be discussing other quarterbacks, including Colin Kaepernick.
Source: Colin Kaepernick's name was raised w/i #Dolphins' front office as potential insurance at QB posn after Ryan Tannehill injured Thurs.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 3, 2017
Tannehill’s 2016 season ended after Calais Campbell hit him low, making contact with his left knee. The injury was a sprain, but Tannehill has been wearing a brace on the knee in practice, yet was not limited. Prior to the injury last season, Tannehill had not missed a game in his first four seasons in the NFL.
In his 13 starts in 2016, Tannehill led the Dolphins to an 8-5 record. He completed 67 percent of his passes, accumulating nearly 3,000 yards with 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
Currently, the Dolphins have a veteran backup in Matt Moore, who started in place of Tannehill during the postseason last year. Other quarterbacks on the roster include Brandon Doughty and David Fales.