MIAMI — Terron Armstead played almost the entire 2024 season for the Miami Dolphins, defying a doctor who recommended he undergo knee-replacement surgery.
Armstead, 33, a five-time Pro Bowl left tackle, revealed the diagnosis late Saturday evening at a private party in the Wynwood section of Miami to announce his retirement to teammates, coaches and friends from his 12-year career with the Dolphins and New Orleans Saints.
“The doctor told me, like, ‘Terron, to be honest with you, you need to replace this knee. You need a knee replacement. There’s no injection, there’s no surgery (as another option),’ ” Armstead said. “I left that day, on a Monday, I went home and I just sat with that — like there’s one thing I didn’t want to leave the game with. It’s permanent damage.”
Despite a bone-on-bone condition, Armstead ultimately played, telling himself, “I have to do this.
“I don’t know how," added Armstead, who plans to at least delay the procedure for the time being. "I impressed myself.”
Armstead appeared in 15 games last season despite barely practicing in an effort to let his body heal as much as possible in time for the next game before repeating the process each week.
“So all the injury noise and ‘He never practices’ — you’re right,” Armstead said. “I’m proud of the work that I did and all we’ve done.”
It actually was the second consecutive season Armstead heard a doctor tell him to shut it down to no avail. He played in 2023 after foot surgery had been recommended.
Armstead chose to reveal his knee issues Saturday night after keeping them to ...
