DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins centre Mike Pouncey has been sidelined by a left hip injury that could force him to miss the season opener.
Pouncey was hurt in Friday’s exhibition game at Dallas, and he’ll likely sit out the final two exhibition games, coach Adam Gase said Sunday.
"We’re still kind of feeling out what’s going on," Gase said. "We need to keep evaluating. We’re working with the doctors and trying to make sure when he comes back, he’s ready to go."
It’s possible Pouncey will miss the opener Sept. 11 at Seattle, Gase said.
"If things change for us or if we get some kind of diagnosis where they tell us it’s a longer period time than we originally thought, it could happen," Gase said.
Pouncey, a Pro Bowl player each of the past three years, has a history of hip trouble. He required surgery on his right hip during the off-season and missed some of the team’s off-season program, and missed the first four games of the 2014 season because of an injury to his right hip.
The injury further unsettles Miami’s offensive line, where the starting guards have yet to be determined. Anthony Steen, an undrafted free agent who has yet to play in a regular season NFL game, is expected to start at centre in Thursday’s exhibition game against Atlanta.
"You’re giving everybody a shot, and he has come out there in training camp and really caught our eye a little bit as far as doing everything right," Gase said. "He’s been strong as far as at the point of attack."
Rookie running back Kenyan Drake, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, will again be out this week, Gase said.
