MDD Staff Writer: Chad Pullen
Suddenly, the future may just be now for the Miami Dolphins. QB David Garrard will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee and could be out anywhere from four to six weeks. This elevates last year’s team MVP Matt Moore to starter, and moves first round pick, and future of the franchise, Ryan Tannehill into the backup role sooner than expected.
It had been expected that Garrard would hold off Moore and win the starting spot for the season opener, and if Miami was unable to move Moore, could just keep him as the number two with Tannehill set to watch the season from the bench and learn in the Aaron Rodgers mold. If Garrard doesn’t make it back soon enough and look good enough in practice, he could become a cap casualty and Tannehill will be one injury away from starting in his rookie season.
Garrard had back surgery ten months ago, and sat out the 2011 season. He had looked solid early in camp and was thought to be the front runner for the position before this latest set back. Number four QB and practice squad body Pat Devlin will also benefit from some additional reps that wouldn’t otherwise be available, however he is not in any long term plan for Miami barring a catastrophic string of injuries in the future.
