Miami Dolphins

Sidelined Branden Albert knows every offensive line position and tight end

Published Jun. 24, 2015 10:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Miami Dolphins spent big on free agent offensive tackle Branden Albert during the 2014 offseason. Albert helped solidify a big weakness on the offensive line and helped keep quarterback Ryan Tannehill upright throughout 2014. That was until, Albert suffered a torn ACL and torn MCL during November which caused him to miss the rest of the season.

Although Albert hasn't been on the practice field at all during OTA's as he continues to recover from the injury, he is making sure to get all the mental reps he can while sitting on the sideline. He has taken it as far as learning not only his position, but every position on the line including the blocking assignments at tight end!

“I tell you what, I just continue to be impressed by Branden,” offensive line coach John 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.”

It speak to Albert's professionalism, leadership and character for him to be making the most of practice and the film room despite being injured. Hopefully those characteristics will rub off on the rest of the team as the Dolphins look to break their seven year playoff drought.

(h/t Pro Football Talk)

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Robert Mayer