Miami Dolphins pending free agent Kader Kohou has been medically cleared to play football seven months after undergoing successful ACL surgery.
The Miami Dolphins have just received news that could heavily impact their free agency plans.
Pending free agent cornerback Kader Kohous has been medically cleared to return to action and has done so by spectacularly healing from ACL surgery seven months after undergoing the procedure.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero revealed the news on X, stating:
"Seven months to the day after surgery for a partially torn ACL, impending free agent CB Kader Kohou has been fully cleared medically, agents @davidcanter and @nessmugrabi of @aurasportsgroup tell The Insiders. Dolphins team physician Dr. Gautam Yagnik performed the surgery on Kohou, who was Miami’s starting nickel for most of his first three seasons and now hits the market healthy at age 27. "
Kohou spent three seasons with the Dolphins, picking up two interceptions, 28 passes defended, one forced fumble, one sack, and 180 total tackles. He also has posted a career 68.5 completion percentage, 98.2 passer rating, and 13 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks.
While the touchdown amount is high, Kohou has a respectable completion percentage and passer rating, all things considered.
Coming off a major injury will always impact a player's ability to land a contract, and Kohou still has a young career ahead of him. However, the Dolphins could potentially keep him on the roster while offering a smaller "prove it" type of deal.
Per Spotrac, Kohou could land a one-year, $2 million deal in 2026. While that might not break the proverbial bank for the Dolphins, they might also still not be able to afford much when free agency hits.
Currently, the Dolphins have $772,000 in available cap space, but they could have a great deal more if they formally release Bradley Chubb before June 1. That is a decision that is still being made.
Kohou did have a decent 2024 season, but was it enough for the Dolphins to take a chance on a player who has struggled and suffered a major injury?
The most obvious reason the Dolphins could explore keeping Kohou has everything to do with price. If no other team is willing to sign the young cornerback, he may accept a smaller deal to play in Miami.
This is just speculation, but getting cleared to play football seven months after ACL surgery is also quite remarkable. It can generally take a year or longer for most players to return from such an injury.
Miami might not be able to afford much of anything or be players in free agency, but they should be able to do some bargain shopping, and Kohou could be part of that list.