MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — How long will the Jalen Ramsey injury keep the Miami Dolphins‘ CB1 out of action?
Still TBD, but we got some details from Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who spoke to reporters ahead of Friday’s training camp practice.
UPDATE (2:49 p.m.): NFL Network reported Friday afternoon that Ramsey needed the full meniscus repair, meaning he is out until December.
Mike McDaniel Updates Jalen Ramsey’s Knee Injury
McDaniel confirmed Thursday that Ramsey will undergo surgery at 1 p.m. Friday, after suffering a noncontact injury to his left meniscus. He would not speculate on how much time Ramsey will miss until the procedure.
“What I can tell you is, I don’t think the beginning of the regular season is really a part of the scenario,” McDaniel said. “It’s gonna be into the season and how deep that is, depends on kind of what happens today.”
Doctors don’t even know what is needed until they go in there. The two options: a meniscus trim or a complete repair.
David Chao, who spent 17 years as the San Diego Chargers’ team doctor, summed up the situation succinctly on Twitter Thursday evening:
“Trimming torn meniscus has him back near start of season. Repair with sutures has him out most if not all of season.”
What Is Jalen Ramsey’s Injury?
Ramsey suffered a meniscus injury during an 11-on-11 drill late in practice Thursday. He got injured while covering wide receiver Tyreek Hill and then hobbled to the sidelines, where he received medical attention before getting carted to the locker room.
Ramsey later underwent an MRI, which revealed damage that needed surgery to repair.
Ramsey on Twitter Thursday hinted that the recovery will carry into the season with two posts.
The first:
“I’ll be back on that field stronger than ever… in due time! This SO minor for God’s child! I trust fully & know He got me! Im forever grateful to worship His name! I know my brothers gone hold it down until I’m back tho! Appreciate the love & support! Time to get right!”
The second:
“That end of the season push gon be legendary! 🙏🏾🧡🧡”
What Are Miami Dolphins’ Options If Jalen Ramsey Misses Time?
The immediate beneficiary of Ramsey’s injury is Kader Kohou, who slides back into the CB2 role he occupied for much of the 2022 season.
Kohou started 13 games as a rookie, holding opposing quarterbacks to 59.1% completions and 6.1 yards per target. When targeting Kohou, NFL passers had a rating of just 81.7.
But who fills in for Kohou as CB3? The top option is rookie Cam Smith, a second-round pick, but also keep an eye out for Trill Williams and Keion Crossen, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury of his own.
Nik Needham will also be an option when he returns from an Achilles repair, but the odds are high he starts the season on PUP.
“What was the most amazing thing about the whole thing was the way Jalen responded,” McDaniel said. “He spoke to the team yesterday and it really moved a lot of people.
“He let everybody know how much he appreciated, this team, how this team has accepted him and how he has been in the league for a little bit and he knows that, what we’re doing here, in his opinion, is special. For his position group not to waver. And exuded all the confidence that he had in that position group.
“And one of the things that he said that was real cool for everybody was he told all of his teammates not to worry, not to feel sorry for him.
“He’s going to whatever timeline the doctors give him. He’s going after that timeline and trying to flex that he’ll beat it.”