MIAMI– Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard stood at a platform quickly after strolling off the method area Tuesday when a regional press reporter asked him that individuals need to be looking for as camp opened up.
Howard really did not be reluctant.
“Kader,” he responded.
He was describing second-year cornerback Kader Kohou, that was a discovery as an undrafted freelance last period. As well as the possible Kohou blinked as a newbie will certainly require to be established quicker than anticipated after Thursday’s information that Jalen Ramsey will certainly undertake surgical treatment on the crescent in his left knee and also is anticipated to miss out on the beginning of the normal period, organization resources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. One resource informed Schefter that Ramsey might miss out on “a few months,” relying on just how the surgical treatment goes.
“My boy, Kader. Dude is a straight dawg,” Howard stated. “His mentality he has, just being an undrafted guy, I continue to see him grow and get better on the field.”
Ramsey left method Thursday after hitting pass receiver Tyreek Hillside throughout 11-on-11 drills and also was hauled to the storage locker area after method. He went through an MRI and also was detected with a curve injury.
It’s a frustratingly acquainted tale for the Dolphins, that have actually managed injuries at the cornerback setting for the previous 3 years– specifically in 2022, when Byron Jones, Nik Needham and also Trill Williams missed out on a consolidated 45 regular-season video games. Also after trading for Ramsey this offseason, Dolphins basic supervisor Chris Grier prepared cornerback Web cam Smith in the 2nd round to include deepness to the area.
“In this league, and especially in the AFC, with a lot of talented quarterbacks and teams, we can never have enough corners, as we experienced last year with the rash of injuries that we dealt with,” Grier stated.
The Dolphins deal with 5 of the leading 10 groups in ESPN’s Football Power Index in the initial 11 weeks, consisting of the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Expenses, Philly Eagles, New York City Jets and also Los Angeles Chargers.
While Ramsey’s schedule is liquid at this moment, also the best-case circumstance is a significant trouble for the Dolphins’ protection, which is transitioning to a brand-new plan under protective organizer Vic Fangio.
Kohou began 13 video games as a newbie and also might have resented to both significant enhancements the group made at his setting.
“First of all, I wasn’t even supposed to be here last year,” he stated. “It is always going to be competition and stuff. I was excited when they added Ramsey. He is one of my favorite players to watch. I feel like him being here with X, I’m going to just learn from them, and it’s going to take my game to another level.”
Miami already wasn’t at full strength entering training camp. Needham, a slot cornerback, is making his return from a torn Achilles he suffered last October. He was not placed on the team’s physically unable to perform list and was present for spring practices, doing work off to the side.
As it stands, Kohou and Smith would likely start along with Howard, with Keion Crossen and 2020 first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene in the mix, as well. Trill Williams has also yet to return in full after tearing an ACL last preseason, but he had a strong training camp in 2022 and could challenge for meaningful snaps once by the end of the summer.
That end of the season push gon be legendary! 🙏🏾🧡🩵
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) July 27, 2023
Howard was a Pro Bowl selection in each of the past three seasons and an All-Pro in 2020. Now healthy after battling soft tissue injuries in 2021 and 2022, Howard still believes he is a No. 1 cornerback, despite a down year last season.
“I believe? I am a true No. 1. What are you talking about?” Howard stated, chuckling, Tuesday. “But we’re cornerbacks. We have that. That’s part of our game.”
The Dolphins have the NFL’s fourth-toughest schedule this season, according to ESPN’s FPI. Miami will need Ramsey for a December playoff push, during which it hosts the Tennessee Titans, Jets and Dallas Cowboys before playing the Baltimore Ravens on the road and ending the regular season at home against the Bills.
” That end of the period press gon be famous!” Ramsey tweeted Thursday night.
