Pouncey will be out even longer — more than likely a four-month recovery period after the June surgery to repair a torn labrum, allowing him to return in late October — according to The Miami Herald.
“Eight weeks is probably what we’re looking at,” a source told the paper Wednesday. That’s a total of seven games, as Miami’s BYE week lands in early October.
It’s disappointing news for the Dolphins, a mediocre offensive squad. While its average Pro Football Focus pass block rating (-8.3) hovered around the middle of the league in 2013, Miami’s run block rating was the NFL’s third-worst (-38.3).
The offensive line issues led Miami to draft two tackles, Ja’Wuan James and Billy Turner, within its first three picks in May.
Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor told NFL.com earlier in the offseason that “Miami’s rebuilt O-line would be one of the top success stories for a team looking to make strides in the AFC East this season.”
The thing is, the Patriots have Rob Gronkowski back, coach Rex Ryan says the Jets are a playoff team and the Bills think Sammy Watkins is the greatest thing since air conditioning. The division’s overall direction makes Lazor’s claim hard to believe.
