Miami Dolphins

Dolphins' Jay Ajayi hasn't had 'any issues' with knee since 2011

Published Nov. 25, 2015 11:05 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Miami Dolphins may have found the steal of the 2015 draft in running back Jay Ajayi. He's averaging 6.8 yards per carry in three games this season and has provided a spark for the Dolphins' run game.

Had it not been for concerns about his knee early in the draft process, though, Ajayi likely would've been drafted much higher than the fifth round -- which is where the Dolphins selected him. It wasn't that Ajayi's knee wasn't healthy when he was drafted. It was that teams were concerned about the longevity of his career due to a lack of cartilage.

As of right now, that doesn't seem to be an issue. Ajayi says he hasn't had any issues with his knee in quite some time.

“I haven’t had any issues with my knee since 2011,” Ajayi said via the Palm Beach Post. “We don’t talk about my knee. I just come in. I’m a regular player. I’m healthy. I’m back on the field like everyone else. My knee’s not an issue at all. Never was.”

Ajayi, the person who suffered most from concerns about his health, doesn't understand why it was a problem in the first place.

“I couldn’t tell you,” he said.

Ajayi has put the concerns behind him and is playing extremely well as a rookie, and has worked his way into a bigger role with the Dolphins. If he continues to perform the way he has, he could wind up being the Dolphins' main back next season with Lamar Miller being an impending free agent.