“Real Optimism” Ryan Tannehill Could Return If Dolphins Make Playoffs?

Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reports that Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill is no longer sporting a cast on his injured left leg, despite sustaining a sprained ACL and MCL a few weeks ago.

Tannehill mentioned in the Dolphins’ locker room after the team’s win over the Bills on Sunday this is “great news.” Tannehill was able to walk without the use of crutches on Saturday but he did have a noticeable limp.

Beasley adds that there is “real optimism” that Tannehill will be back at some point this season if the Dolphins end up securing a spot in the playoffs.

Last week, Tannehill met with renowned surgeon James Andrews for treatment on his left knee and is now doing everything he can to return to the team this season for a potential playoff run.

This is good news considering that Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported last week that Tannehill was “very uncertain” to return this year. According to Rapoport, the Dolphins plan to see how Tannehill’s knee responds, but a reconstruction of his knee is a possibility.

Tannehill, 28, is a former first-round pick of the Dolphins back in 2012. He’s currently in the second year of his six-year, $95.272 million contract. that includes $45 million guaranteed.

Tannehill stands to make base salaries of $9.34 million and $17.975 million over the next two years.

In 2016, Tannehill has appeared in 13 games and thrown for 2,995 yards while completing 67.1 percent to go along with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 15 out of 36 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Tannehill’s return as the news is available.