Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert had to sit out all the team’s offseason work thanks to the torn ACL and MCL he suffered in November, and it’s not clear whether he’ll be physically ready for training camp, or even for the start of the regular season. But it is clear that he’s mentally ready.
Dolphins offensive line coach John Benton says Albert is taking all his mental reps, constantly working on everything he can work on while his knee heals, and knows the blocking assignments on every play for all five linemen and even the tight end.
“I tell you what, I just continue to be impressed by Branden,” Benton said. “Essentially, when that type of injury happens to you, it’s easy to feel like you’re off on your own. You do rehab by yourself, you work with the trainers all day yourself. He went through quite a period of time where he couldn’t walk and that type of thing, and yet I’d sit up in my office and I can’t think of a day where I didn’t look out the window and he’s doing something out on the field at least since he’s been upright. And he has come to every meeting, he’s been in every meeting. He can go in there, from a mental standpoint could play center, guard, probably tight end. Truly works at his craft through that type of adversity and how he’s done it is very impressive.”
The Dolphins would prefer to see Albert on the field. But for now, he’s doing everything an injured player can do.