Mike Pouncey optimistic that he will be ready for week one

Written by Matthew Cannata
Although it has been reported that center Mike Pouncey will miss at least the first four weeks of the season with the possibility of eight, he is not looking at it that way and in fact, he said he hopes that he doesn't miss any games at all.

“I feel like I’m already ahead of schedule,” Pouncey said. “My goal is not to miss anything, but I’ve just got to be smart about it so I don’t have any relapse. I’m just going to listen to the team doctors and Coach Philbin and whenever they tell me I’m ready to go, then I’m going.”

Pouncey underwent hip surgery in late June and worked on conditioning on the side during the first day of camp. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill clearly missed Pouncey under center as him and Shelley Smith had sloppy exchanges several times throughout practice.

“It’s tough to lose him early, but I’m kind of thankful at the same time, if we’re going to lose him, at least we have the whole camp to work with a new center and get on the same page,” Tannehill said. “He can use this time to recover and get back as fast as possible.”

This will be another situation worth monitoring. It will be in Pouncey’s best interest to hit the field as soon as possible as he is in a contract year and will need maximum leverage going into the offseason.

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