Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, sidelined late last season with two sprained ligaments in his left knee, will be ready for the start of the team's offseason program in April without having surgery on the knee, according to a source.
Tannehill sprained the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the knee against Arizona on Dec. 11. He missed the final three regular season games and the 30-12 wild-card loss at Pittsburgh.
But he is now poised to take part in the Dolphins' offseason activities.
The team first thought Tannehill had a serious knee injury, but it was quickly revealed he'd only sustained sprained ligaments, not complete tears to either ligament.
The Dolphins kept Tannehill on the active roster, prompting thoughts he could return before the end of the season. Tannehill was nonetheless a fixture at practice, walking around with a brace on his knee. He was even seen once in the locker room without the brace and walking without a limp.
At one point Tannehill even went through some light drills a few weeks after the injury. But it was decided he wasn't healthy enough to play.
Tannehill had 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a career-best 93.5 passer rating last season under first-year coach Adam Gase.
Tannehill seemed to grow in a number of areas last season, most notably decision-making and accuracy, in what some considered a make or break year in his future with the team.
