Dolphins' Branden Albert uncertain about Week 1 status

Miami Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert is continuing to make progress in his recovery from a torn ACL and MCL, but his status for Week 1 remains up in the air.

"I don't know if I'm going to be quite ready for the opener. I don't know yet," he said Thursday, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

"I told everybody it's going to be sooner than later. I'm ahead of schedule. We don't want to push it too much. This is a good starting point. I'm happy to be where I'm at. Each and every day, I'm getting better."

Albert started camp on the active roster this week, avoiding the PUP list and seemingly supporting the Dolphins' previous claims that he was on track to play in the regular-season opener.

While he'll still have an opportunity to do so, his ability to participate in preseason contests – even if toward the end of the Dolphins' four-game slate – would bring some clarity to his playing status for the opener.

Albert joined the Dolphins as a high-priced free-agent signing in 2014 and his healthy return for the start of the upcoming season is imperative in the offense's efforts to field a more productive unit going forward.