Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert, who is recovering from two torn ligaments in his right knee, is practicing today at full speed for the first time since being injured in November, offering hope he’ll be available for the Sept. 13 opener at Washington. “I’m a little nervous because I haven’t played football for a while,” said Albert, who was injured in the Detroit game last season. Albert’s return is timely because fellow left tackle Jason Fox, his replacement, missed Tuesday’s practice. Fox left Saturday’s 31-30 loss at Carolina after sustaining a head injury that might be a concussion. If Albert didn’t return the Dolphins might have had to rely on either Aundrey Walker, a rookie from Southern California, or Donald Hawkins, a second-year player from Texas, and neither has been impressive so far. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...acticing-full-speed-today-20150825-story.html
We'll rush him back and it will be to our own detriment later on. The earliest this guy should be taking snaps in a regular season game should be after our bye week.
He can keep Delmas company. I hope they don't rush him back out of desperation, but I can't rely on them to be smart about it, so all I can do is hope.
Just out of curiosity, anyone here anything about that limp everyone was going on about? Does he still have it and no-one's mentioning it, or has it gone away and clearly isn't something that "he's always had"? As for him playing, after what happened with Delmas, I'd be fine with him missing up to 3 or 4 games. I'd rather him be healed properly and last through the rest of the year than get him in early and risk re-injuring the knee. I'm with Delmas it was all, "He's ahead of schedule, he looks great, he feels fine." Next thing you know he's down and out for the season. I'd rather that didn't happen again.
Albert was injured earlier than Delmas was, and Delmas also has a long history of leg troubles, along with playing a position that requires him to sprint and cut on a constant basis. Being an OT, I would think that the athletic demands on the knee will be less for Albert. That all being said, if he's cleared medically and seems ready to go from practice, I want him out there in week 1. If he's not healthy and can't go, then keep him out. But I want no part of resting him just because we're scared its too early.
Albert is still not even a year removed from the ACL tear. Look, the guy wasn't exactly the quintessential when it comes to being in shape and he's had nagging injuries the last few years. To expect some kind of Adrian Peterson-esque recovery is illogical at this stage, especially with the position he plays and all the force applied to that knee. The Dolphins gaffe was not drafting a potential replacement or signing a decent one.
