Jalen Ramsey to undergo knee surgery, will miss start of regular season

Six-time Pro Bowl defensive back Jalen Ramsey will undergo surgery on his meniscus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and is expected to “miss the start” of the 2023 regular season after going down with an injury at practice on Thursday.

He’s expected to miss “six to eight weeks” thanks to the injury, and doctors will have to determine whether or not they need to remove Ramsey’s meniscus or just repair it, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who says that the former would result in a longer recovery.

The Miami Dolphins star still has his ACL intact despite being carted off the field, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Ramsey also commented on the matter on social media after the news was released.

“I’ll be back on that field stronger than ever… in due time! This SO minor for God’s child! I trust fully & know He got me! I’m forever grateful to worship His name! I know my brothers gone hold it down until I’m back tho! Appreciate the love & support! Time to get right!” Ramsey tweeted.

Pelissero’s colleague, Cameron Wolfe, has said that Ramsey grabbed his left knee after a rep where he defended Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill before being taken out on a cart.

Ramsey is coming off his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance in 2022 after a career year for the Rams. He totaled a career-high 88 tackles to go with two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Before he became an All-Pro cornerback in the NFL, Ramsey starred at Florida State, where he was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection and a consensus All-American in 2015. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and he spent the first three years of his career there. 

In 2019, Jacksonville traded him to the Rams for two first-round picks and a 2021 fourth-round selection. Despite his huge contract, the Dolphins invested in Ramsey, as they believe he’ll give Miami’s defense a brand new way to stop the AFC East’s highly-touted quarterbacks.

Now, he figured to continue his trend as one of the NFL’s elite defensive backs heading into the 2023 season — but those plans have come to a complete and abrupt stop. Although he won’t be out for the entire season, barring a more lengthy surgery, Ramsey’s hopes for NFL honors and Pro Bowl selections are likely out of the window for this season.

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report.