SUNDAY, 9:38am: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirms (via Twitter) that the Dolphins do not believe Pouncey’s hip injury will be a long-term concern. The latest report that he should be ready to go next week still appears accurate.
SATURDAY, 8:48pm: Although Dolphins center Mike Pouncey will be forced to miss tomorrow’s game against the Rams while dealing with a hip issue, he should be able to return next week against the 49ers, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. However, Pouncey did meet with a specialist this week to go over his injury, per La Canfora.
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Conflicting reports have emerged this week regarding the severity of Pouncey’s hip condition — while some sources have indicated that Miami is worried about Pouncey’s long-term health status, other reports have said the hip issue is not a career-threatening injury. La Canfora’s report doesn’t necessarily contradict either of those previous stories, and Pouncey’s play throughout the rest of the season will likely determine how the Dolphins handle his injury going forward.
Reserve interior lineman Anthony Steen will start tomorrow in Pouncey’s absence, and Miami also made a move to add center Jake Brendel from its practice squad, waiving veteran cornerback Chris Culliver in the process. The Dolphins’ offensive line has steadily improved this season and now ranks 10th in Football Outsiders‘ adjusted line yards, though it still places near the bottom of the league in pass protection. With Pouncey and left tackle Branden Albert both sidelined, the club’s front five could have its hands full against an excellent Rams defensive line on Sunday.