The Miami Dolphins provided a “fortunate” update on Braylon Sanders after the wide receiver had to be carted off the field after injuring his knee during a joint practice with the Atlanta Falcons.
Dolphins WR Braylon Sanders was carted off the field after an injury. He was grabbing his knee after going down trying to catch a pass during team drills.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 8, 2023
On Braylon Sanders' injury yesterday, Mike McDaniel said, “We were fortunate. It was a lower body injury that didn’t produce any structural damage."
He said not to expect him back in the next couple of days, but maybe sometime next week.
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 9, 2023
The 24-year-old reportedly went down while running a route during an 11-on-11 drill. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided the update on Sanders, who could return as soon as next week as he tries to make the team as a reserve.
Miami starts its three-game preseason schedule on Friday against the Falcons before the regular season begins Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The preseason could be very important to Sanders, who is trying to remain on the team after playing in three games and making two receptions last season, when he spent most of the year on the practice squad. The undrafted University of Mississippi product signed a reserve/future contract in January.
The Dolphins’ receiving corps behind stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle looks to be in flux as training camp moves along. Chosen Anderson, who was a standout during offseason practices this spring, reportedly has been getting few reps during training camp and may have been passed by Braxton Berrios for the No. 3 role.
Cedrick Wilson Jr. returns for a second season with the Dolphins, with River Cracraft, Erik Ezukanma, Chris Coleman, Daewood Davis and Freddie Swain also on the roster.
Miami had seven wide receivers make a reception last season, when it ranked fourth in the NFL in passing yards per game in its first campaign under McDaniel. The expectations for this season are sky-high, with Hill saying the potential of the offense gives him “goosebumps.”
The Dolphins suffered a much more high-profile knee injury earlier in training camp when star cornerback Jalen Ramsey left an early practice. The 28-year-old has been exceptionally optimistic about his recovery and provided another encouraging update this week.
How this morning got me… imma finish the day strong & positive tho 🤟🏾
Up 9 btw tho… this shid challenging mentally & physically but fuck it, I’m built for the rough shid! pic.twitter.com/58anFoyV1M
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) August 7, 2023
Ramsey will return to his position no matter when he is able to play. For Sanders, the sooner he can get back, the better, as he tries to lock down a more secure place in the Dolphins’ plans.