Anthony Steen is back center for the Miami Dolphins. (Allen Eyestone / The Palm Beach Post)
CARLSBAD, Calif. — When Anthony Steen was growing up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, starting a football game for the Miami Dolphins at the Los Angeles Rams was not exactly part of the grand plan. “Heck, I promised my grandma I would grow up and be a country singer and buy her a ranch so she could live out in the country and do whatever she wanted,” Steen said as he walked off the Dolphins’ practice field on Friday afternoon.
Now, suddenly, Steen, who played guard at Alabama, is being called upon to replace Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey (doubtful/hip) and be the glue of an offensive line with new starters at left tackle (Laremy Tunsil) and left guard (Kraig Urbik).
“My grandma is going to watch the game on Sunday,” Steen said. “She said, ‘I know you’re a football player and not a country singer, but don’t forget about my ranch.'”
Steen was undrafted out of Alabama, in part due to a sub-par senior season in which he played through injury. It’s a sore spot for Steen, and he even addressed it Friday.
Steen, who performed capably in starts at (raucous) Seattle as well as at New England (Ryan Tannehill was not sacked) and against Cleveland, appears on his way to a solid NFL career.
But Steen is banged up now.
Steen did not dress for one game (due to a high ankle sprain) and has recently been dealing with a neck injury.
“It’s just stiff and tight,” Steen said Friday. “It is what it is I guess.”
As for the ankle, it’s a lingering issue.
“It’s fine,” Steen said. “I’ll have moments where I’ll feel it’s there. But like I said it’s going to feel sore until the season is over because we’re doing something every day.”
