Dolphins get good news on Brown, bad on Marshall

Wednesday’s OTA practice was one of those glass half-full, half-empty deals for the Miami Dolphins. Since we’re a positive bunch here at WagerWeb.com, let’s start with the good:

Running back Ronnie Brown was a surprise participant on Wednesday as he recovers from surgery from a Lisfranc fracture that cut his 2009 season short. Originally Brown, who is technically a restricted free agent, wasn’t even thought to be a lock for training camp. He wasn’t going full speed but was on the field. Brown was possibly on the way to his best season last year with 648 rushing yard and eight TDs in nine games.

It’s still possible another team could try and trade for Brown, as Miami declined a $5 million option on him, but then offered him a first-round tender, which is worth $3.969 million. But that’s unlikely. Brown still may not be 100 percent by training camp but assured he would be good to go in Week 1 against the Bills.

However, the Fins have to be a bit concerned with new addition Brandon Marshall. The former Broncos star receiver, who cost Miami two second-round picks, underwent a “routine procedure,” according to Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, and it’s uncertain whether he’ll make it back in time for the start of training camp. Obviously that could be a big deal because Marshall has to learn the offense and get acquainted with QB Chad Henne, etc.

The Fins won’t say what was operated on (it was his hip) but there are reports they didn’t know about whatever this was when they traded for Marshall and then gave him a $50 million contract.

“We don’t play a game today,” Sparano said. “We play a game down the road somewhere. … No disappointment at all. He’s been here for eight weeks now, throwing and catching and doing all the things necessary. I mean, he was throwing and catching the day that the procedure was done. So, not real concerned about it.”

Marshall also had surgery on March 31, 2009, when with Denver, to repair a hip injury that bothered him through much of the 2008 season. He went on to posted his third straight 100-reception season in 2009, gaining 1,120 yards and grabbing a career-best 10 touchdown receptions.

This makes four straight off-seasons that Marshall has had some sort of injury problem that has caused him to miss workouts.

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