Report: Ramsey Out Until December
The Miami Dolphins are going to have to play most of the 2023 season without All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
The team's biggest offseason acquisition underwent meniscus surgery on his left knee Friday and the repair involved is likely to keep him out of action until December, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Dolphins' first game in December is the Dec. 3 matchup against the Washington Commanders, which will be the team's 12th game of the season.
If that's indeed the timeline for Ramsey's return, he would miss games against the L.A. Chargers, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England again, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Jets.
RAMSEY: 'I WILL ATTACK REHAB'
As he did after the injury Thursday, Ramsey took to social media after his surgery to express his appreciation for the support and well-wishes he's received.
"I promise I will attack this rehab and be back stronger than ever," Ramsey posted. "This will just part of the greatest story down the stretch. Adversity is opportunity!"
McDANIEL'S RAMSEY COMMENTS
Head coach Mike McDaniel opened his pre-practice media session Friday by discussing the injury that Ramsey sustained in practice.
While indicating that the nature of the surgery would dictate how long Ramsey would be out, McDaniel at the time all but ruled out Ramsey for the start of the 2023 regular season, even in a best-case scenario.
"The length of this rehabilitation is kind of dictated on a couple things that could occur in the surgery," McDaniel said. "So the exact timeline is a little to be determined. What I can tell you is, I don't think the beginning of the regular season is really a part of the scenario. It's going to be into the season and how deep that is depends on kind of what happens today."
McDaniel indicated the injury in practice Thursday occurred before Ramsey collided with wide receiver Tyreek Hill on a pass play toward the latter stages of practice Thursday and that Ramsey had had no issue with his knee prior to the injury.
RAMSEY ADDRESSES HIS TEAMMATES
While Ramsey was being checked out by trainers on the sideline, McDaniel and teammates Xavien Howard and Jevon Holland went over to talk to him.
After practice, it was Ramsey who addressed his teammates.
"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 first let everybody know how much he appreciated this team, how this team has accepted him and how he has been in league for a little bit and how he knows that what we're doing here, in his opinion, is special. And for his position group not to waver and exuded all the confidence they had in that position group.
"And one of the things that he said that was really cool for everybody was that he told all of his teammates not to worry, not to feel sorry for him. Whatever timeline the doctors give him, he's going after that timeline and trying to flex that he'll beat it. And that he realistically couldn't be more committed and excited to join the team again, this year, whenever that is."
HOW THE DOLPHINS WILL REPLACE RAMSEY
The Dolphins have a lot of depth at cornerback but they began training camp with Nik Needham on the Active/PUP list as he continues to recover from the Achilles injury that cut short his 2022 season last October.
In total, the Dolphins have 11 players listed as cornerbacks on their roster, plus two others (Elijah Campbell, Keion Crossen) listed as defensive backs.
Kader Kohou, who started 13 games as a rookie free agent in 2022 and looked like the slot corner, figures to be the logical candidate to replace Ramsey in the starting lineup opposite Xavien Howard, That will create a void in the slot if Needham can't return to the lineup in time for the season opener.
Another possibility would be starting second-round pick Cam Smith on the boundary with Kohou inside, but that clearly would entail Smith showing he's ready for that kind of role as a rookie.
McDaniel said Friday the team would bring in cornerbacks for workouts.
RAMSEY INJURED ON PASS PLAY
Ramsey was injured during an 11-on-11 session when he was covering Hill, who looked like the intended receiver on a pass that was deflected by linebacker Jerome Baker. After getting off the ground, Ramsey grabbed the back of his left knee before walking to the sideline.
Ramsey then was examined by trainers while on his back for several minutes before getting up.
McDaniel and fellow defensive backs members Xavien Howard and Jevon Holland came over to check on Ramsey or talk to him while he was on the ground.
A cart was brought behind the sideline closest to the stands at the Baptist Health Training Complex and Ramsey hopped on without putting any weight on his left leg.
Practice ended as Ramsey left the field on the cart.
RAMSEY'S ROLE
Ramsey, of course, was the Dolphins' signature player acquisition of the offseason when they got him in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams for a 2023 third-round pick and third-year tight end Hunter Long.
Ramsey spoke to the media when veterans reported to camp Tuesday and talked about his desire to be recognized as the top cornerback in the NFL, emphasizing that every player at the position should strive for that goal.
Earlier in practice, Ramsey had one of the best individual plays when he stayed with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle step for step down the left sideline and jumped up to break up a pass from Tua Tagovailoa.
