With the exception of Tua Tagovailoa, no player means more to the 2024 Miami Dolphins than Jalen Ramsey.
So when Ramsey popped up on the team’s Thursday injury report, it certainly was worrisome. Will the Dolphins have the seven-time Pro Bowler available for Sunday’s Week 11 game against the Las Vegas Raiders? Here’s what we know.
What Is Jalen Ramsey’s Injury?
Ramsey — who missed half of the 2023 season with a meniscus tear — suffered a knee injury in practice Thursday, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Friday. He did participate in Friday’s practice in some capacity.
“We’ll see how it plays out today,” McDaniel said prior to practice. “Either way, I don’t rule out warriors. He is an integral part of our team. So I know he’ll do what he is able to do today and we’ll be optimistic for the game, knowing that if he doesn’t play, it’s because he can’t.”
It’s unclear whether Ramsey’s latest issue is at all related to last year’s. He tore his meniscus during a July 2023 training camp practice and underwent an outer rim repair the next day.
The nature of the injury allowed him to make a faster-than-expected recovery, and he ended up appearing in 10 games in 2023.
Will Ramsey Play in Week 11?
Good news for the Dolphins: Ramsey had no game designation in the team’s final injury report of the week and is on track to play.
Still, just the fact that their defensive MVP midway through the season is less than 100% is worth monitoring.
Ramsey has 35 tackles (including four for loss), an interception, and two quarterback hits in nine games this season. But his value to the Dolphins’ defense far surpasses his stat line.
He’s not only the Dolphins’ best coverage DB, he might also be their best blitzer and tackler.
Ramsey is one of several injured Dolphins ahead of Sunday’s game. Tackle Terron Armstead (knee), fullback Alec Ingold (calf), guard Robert Jones (knee), safety Patrick McMorris (calf), and guard Isaiah Wynn (quad/knee) are all questionable.
The status of Armstead and Jones bears monitoring, particularly since right tackle Austin Jackson is out for the season. McDaniel suggested earlier in the day that Wynn will not come off of PUP this week.
How Might Ramsey’s Absence Impact the Miami Dolphins if Ruled Out?
As we’ve discussed, it would be massive.
The Dolphins will be without Kendall Fuller at least this week after he suffered his second concussion of the season. (McDaniel did hint at a sooner-than-expected return to action for Fuller based on how well his body has responded over the last few days).
If both for some reason couldn’t play, Kader Kohou would become CB1 — and he is working through a knee injury of his own. Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Ethan Bonner, and Siran Neal are the Dolphins’ only healthy corners.