Just one Dolphin will definitely begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list, Adam Gase said Tuesday:
Xavien Howard, a rookie corner who needed his knee scoped after suffering a minor injury in the spring.
Bad news for Howard and the Dolphins' thin secondary, for sure.
But potentially good news for the Dolphins' newest face: running back Arian Foster, who signed a one-year contract with the team last week.
Gase still wants a look at Foster's reconstructed Achilles tendon before deciding on his near-term availability. Foster must pass a conditioning test before the Dolphins green-light him for camp, which begins Friday.
But the fact that Foster hasn't been totally ruled out speaks well for his health. Foster tore the Achilles during the 2015 season.
"I have a lot of faith in our training staff and our strength and conditioning, our sports science [department]," Gase said, when asked why he was comfortable signing the four-time Pro Bowler. "We spent a lot of time with him on two different visits."
Gase added: "We had brought him in on a visit [in late March] and we had a really good talk and just kind of allowed him to get healthy and work to get back. It'll be interesting when we get him out there and just to see how he kind of fits in."
As long as his body cooperates, anything's possible for Foster in Miami this year _ including a spot in the starting lineup.
Gase remains high on second-year back Jay Ajayi, but a healthy (and resurgent) Foster would have the chance to steal the job from him.
"It usually sorts itself out," Gase said. "It's hard to predict anything as far as going into the regular season."
Gase is particularly impressed with Foster's ability out of the backfield. Foster caught 249 passes for 14 touchdowns in seven seasons in Houston.
"He's the type of guy that he can run his route tree similar to what a wide receiver's is," Gase said. " ... He runs about as smooth as any running back that I've ever seen. I'll be interested to see how far we can grow the running back position with him."
