On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins announced that cornerback Xavien Howard has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list as he continues rehabilitation following knee surgery.
What the designation means is that Howard is unable to begin training camp because of an injury suffered from before. The positive aspect is that once Howard is medically cleared by the Dolphins, he can begin practicing with the team.
Howard was limited to just five games in 2019 because of the knee trouble and underwent surgery in December of last year.
Howard has started all but one of his 40 games over the course of four seasons with the Dolphins and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2018 after tying for the NFL lead in interceptions with seven.
A second-round pick (38th overall) by the Dolphins in the 2016 NFL draft, Howard is expected to team with new free agent acquisition Byron Jones to form one of the NFL’s strongest cornerback duos.
With no preseason games this season due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, there’s no immediate need to get Howard back on the field. The Dolphins are simply hoping that he’s back to full health when they’re scheduled to line up against the New England Patriots on Sept. 13.
