Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has reached a decision on how to handle his torn ACL, and his answer is reconstructive surgery. Tannehill will be placed on IR and miss the entire 2017 season, according to the Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero.
Tannehill suffered the injury while taking a tumble in practice last week. He could return to the Dolphins in 2018, but the franchise has the option to let him go at the end of this season while paying only $4.6 million.
Miami is now banking heavily on Jay Cutler, who was lured out of retirement with a one-year, $10-million contract. While the Dolphins won’t challenge the Patriots for the AFC East crown, they’re improved roster gives them a chance to make their second straight playoff appearance if Cutler returns to form.
That’s quite an “if” though, as Cutler struggled through his five games last season, managing five interceptions and just four touchdowns. But the year before, 2015, had been arguably Cutler’s best statistically with 3,659 passing yards, a 64.6 completion percentage, and 21 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. But a 6-10 record overshadowed the numbers. For the optimists out there, Dolphins head coach Adam Gase was the Bears’ offensive coordinator that season.
The Dolphins also have backup Matt Moore, who was the Dolphins’ starter in 2011 and filled in at the end of last season when Tannehill partially tore his ACL. If all else fails, they’ve got fourth-stringer David Fales, who connected for a 99-yard touchdown pass in the team’s preseason opener.