Dolphins notes: Benny Sapp has advantage over ailing Will Allen for final cornerback spot
DAVIE — Veteran cornerbacks Benny Sapp and Will Allen are likely battling for the third cornerback job and a roster spot this training camp.
But Allen's health may be the determining factor.
Allen, who turned 33 last week, missed his fourth straight practice Tuesday because of an undisclosed injury. While Sapp, 30, has played with the first-team nickel defense the past four days, Allen has been relegated to conditioning drills on the sideline with teammate Jake Long, who has started the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Allen, once a model of consistency, started at least 12 games a year from 2001-08 with the Giants and Dolphins. But he suffered a torn ACL in the sixth game of the 2009 season and hasn't been right since.He missed the final 10 games in 2009, then had an arthroscopic procedure last August to reduce swelling in the knee. That surgery ultimately landed him again on Injured Reserve, forcing him to miss all of 2010.
Sapp said he's not thinking about Allen's injury being an advantage for him.
"I never let my guard down," Sapp said. "There's always competition, that's what keeps me going. I just try to do what got me here every year."
