An MRI on linebacker Raekwon McMillan confirmed the Dolphins’ worst fears Friday morning: He has a torn ACL, which will cost him his rookie season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
McMillan was hurt in the opening minutes of Thursday night’s preseason-opening 23-20 victory over Atlanta. He was injured covering a punt and left the locker room after the game on crutches, wearing a bulky brace on his right knee.
McMillan, a second-round pick from Ohio State, had been all the Dolphins hoped for as he prepared to enter the league. The Dolphins planned to build their linebacking corps around him, planting him in the middle and allowing him to call defensive signals.
The hope was that McMillan would be an impact player to improve a run defense that ranked 30th in the NFL last season and gave up a club-record 2,247 yards on the ground.
Now the Dolphins are back to veteran Kiko Alonso, newcomer Lawrence Timmons and developing young linebackers Neville Hewitt and Mike Hull.
The Dolphins will be second-guessed for exposing McMillan on special teams.
“We were talking about how he was going to have to possibly be on that team,” coach Adam Gase said after the game. “We had to give him some reps, especially in the game. It’s tough to see a young player go down, not knowing what happened.”
Gase, who planned to use McMillan the entire first half, repeated his “next man up” mantra.
“That’s what our guys do,” he said. “Our guys handle adversity just as good as anybody.”
The Dolphins have had plenty of experience lately. They have lost quarterback Ryan Tannehill (knee) and guard Ted Larsen (biceps). They are easing center Mike Pouncey back from hip surgery and running back Jay Ajayi from a concussion.
Put it together and it’s a major part of the heart of their offense and now, their defense.
One Dolphin who could easily identify with McMillan is defensive end Cameron Wake, who came back from a torn Achilles to make the Pro Bowl last year.
“Any time any player goes down, your heart goes out to them,” Wake said.