Pouncey placed on IR; Dolphins sign QB Yates

By AP
Published

MIAMI (AP) Mike Pouncey's season is over and his career in question.

The Miami Dolphins' three-time Pro Bowl center was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday because of a hip injury that limited him to five games.

Pouncey said in October he has wondered how long he'll be able to continue to play.

Miami also signed veteran quarterback T.J. Yates, who took Pouncey's roster spot and will back up Matt Moore on Saturday at the New York Jets. The Dolphins (8-5) were in the market for a reinforcement at quarterback in the wake of starter Ryan Tannehill's knee injury .

In addition, the Dolphins decided defensive end Dion Jordan will remain on the reserve non-football injury list for the rest of the season, delaying until 2017 his return from a long suspension and knee surgery.

Pouncey missed the first four games this year while he recovered from hip surgery, played in five consecutive games and was then sidelined again.

Running back Jay Ajayi had back-to-back 200-yard games with Pouncey in the lineup.

The 27-year-old Pouncey was a Pro Bowl player in 2013-15. His hip problems date at least to 2014, when he missed the first four games of the season because of an injury. Anthony Steen has been starting in place of Pouncey.

The Dolphins faced a Tuesday deadline to decide whether to activate Jordan this year. The No. 3 overall draft pick in 2013, he returned to practice in late November following surgery and a reinstatement by the NFL following a 15-month suspension for his latest violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

In addition to the suspension, Jordan has been hampered by injuries since being drafted. He has only three sacks in 26 games.

Yates provides insurance following the loss of Tannehill, who sprained his left knee Sunday against Arizona and will likely miss the rest of the season.

Yates last played in 2015 with Houston, making two starts. He had five starts with the Texans in 2011, and has also played for Atlanta.

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