The Miami Herald confirms Dolphins LT Jake Long has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL, and will be sidelined 1-3 weeks if the sprain is mild. Long could miss 3-4 weeks if the sprain is moderate - and 4-6 weeks if his MCL is torn - but neither the Herald nor Palm Beach Bost expect Long's MRI to turn up anything significant. Regardless, Long is likely to be questionable for Opening Day, and that's bad news for a team that will be starting a rookie quarterback against a Texans team that was amongst the league leaders in sacks last season.

Updating an earlier item, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Dolphins LT Jake Long is believed to have sprained his right MCL in Monday's practice, and is undergoing an MRI to determine the extent of the damage. The Palm Beach Post is standing by its report that Long suffered little more than a "tweak," however, so there's clearly conflicting information. If Schefter - one of the league's most reliable sources - is right, Long is now in danger of missing Week 1, and could possibly even require surgery depending on what his MRI turns up. It would be a big blow for a Dolphins offense that's propping up rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill with the worst receiver corps in the league. Rookie Jonathan Martin could shift to the blindside if Long isn't ready for Week 1, though Lydon Murtha is Long's primary backup.

Dolphins LT Jake Long is fine after "tweaking" his knee in Monday's practice. Long sent a scare through Twitter after remaining down on the field for several minutes Monday, but isn't in any danger of missing Week 1. Long missed the first two games of his NFL career last season as he dealt with knee, back and shoulder woes, and his health will be an absolute must if the Dolphins are going to wring any production out of one of the league's least talented passing attacks.

Dolpins LT Jake Long injured his right knee in Monday's practice. The severity is unclear, but Long remained down for several minutes before being helped to the sideline. He was later able to walk under his own power, however. Even a minor knee injury could jeopardize Long's Week 1 status. One of the league's shakiest passing attacks can ill-afford any missed time from its Pro Bowl left tackle.

LT Jake Long says "this is the best I've felt in a long time." Although Long has missed just two games in his four-year career, injuries have hampered his play of late. Last year, knee, shoulder and back woes contributed to a sharp decline in play. Long is now entering the final year of his contract.

According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins will franchise tag LT Jake Long in 2013 if no in-season extension is reached. Long's in a contract year, and he's going to want at least the $92 million over eight seasons that Joe Thomas got from Cleveland. It will be a tough negotiation for the Dolphins as they try to determine 1) Whether the left tackle is worth that kind of coin, and 2) Whether Long's body will hold up. Though he's missed just two games, Long's injuries over the past two seasons include a torn right biceps (surgery), lingering left knee trouble, a lower back issue that cost him a game, and a dislocated left shoulder with a torn labrum (surgery).

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland adamantly disputed a recent newspaper suggestion that LT Jake Long's days in Miami are numbered. The suggestion came via the consistently unreliable South Florida Sun-Sentinel, which is essentially the National Inquirer of newspapers from a football point of view. "I want to clear the air on an article," said Ireland. "I don't normally go overboard on media speculation but last night I saw an article about Jake Long. I have plans to keep Jake Long right here for a long time." Expect the Fins to approach Long about an extension before the season.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel columnist Mike Berardino believes LT Jake Long is on "shaky ground" with the Dolphins. Berardino believes Long - who is entering the final year of his rookie contract - is "about to get caught in the vortex of this sweeping Dolphins overhaul." Miami drafted Stanford OT Jonathan Martin in the second round, and GM Jeff Ireland says the team is adopting a different philosophy along its line. "We're not going to be as much a power scheme as we've been in the past." However, Ireland also insisted Long can "transfer to any scheme." Berardino's dot connecting is not illogical, but we're skeptical an embattled organization like Miami will be willing to let a former No. 1 overall pick and four-time Pro Bowler get away.

Dolphins LT Jake Long (biceps, knee) says he's "all healed up." "I feel great," Long said. "This is the healthiest I've felt in a long time. All healed up, working out 100 percent, ready to go." Plagued by a lingering left knee injury before a torn biceps sent him to injured reserve in Week 16 last season, Long missed the first two games of his career. One month shy of his 27th birthday, Long will make $11.2 million in the final year of his rookie deal.

The Dolphins have reportedly begun "exploratory" contract talks with LT Jake Long, OLB Cameron Wake, and WR Brian Hartline. Long is looking to bypass the Browns' Joe Thomas ($30 million guaranteed) as the highest-paid tackle in the game after voiding the final year of his rookie contract. One of the most underpaid players in the NFL, Wake is due to $615,000 in base salary this season. All three players are slated to hit free agency in 2013, along with RB Reggie Bush, DE Randy Starks, CB Sean Smith, and TE Anthony Fasano.