Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has ACL, MCL sprains in left knee

DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins received some surprisingly good injury news Monday when quarterback Ryan Tannehill was diagnosed with ACL and MCL sprains in his left knee.

Head coach Adam Gase said surgery is not required and that the team doesn't have an exact timetable for Tannehill's recovery, but the quarterback is expected to miss at least the next couple of games.

"This is not going to be one game," Gase said. "It's going to be longer than that."

The Dolphins were bracing for the worst Sunday evening after Tannehill was hit low late in the third quarter byArizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell. Tannehill left the locker room on crutches.

"It's better [news] than what we thought yesterday," Gase said.

Campbell's hit on Tannehill has drawn criticism on social media but Cardinals coach Bruce Arians defended his player Monday and said Campbell was blocked into Tannehill.

Arians said Campbell's hit "was just a football play."

Campbell said he reached out to Tannehill on Monday and apologized for the hit that injured him.

"It definitely wasn't on purpose," Campbell told reporters. "I've never been that kind of guy, I never will be that kind of guy."

Backup quarterback Matt Moore will take over the offense this week as Miami (8-5) prepares for the New York Jets (4-9).

Tannehill, 28, has been one of the NFL's most durable quarterbacks. He hasn't missed a start in nearly five seasons.

Even if Tannehill doesn't return this season, he made quality strides in his first year under Gase. Tannehill posted the first winning record of his career and threw for 2,995 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also finished with a career-high 93.5 passer rating.

The Dolphins trail the Denver Broncos (8-5) for the final wild-card spot in the AFC via tiebreakers. Miami will play three consecutive division games to wrap up the regular season.

ESPN's Josh Weinfuss contributed to this report.