Pouncey practically ready to play versus Green Bay

Mike Pouncey wants to play on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, expects to play and today took a major step toward making that happen.

Pouncey said he took first-team snaps in practice today for the Miami Dolphins and told me he had "no limitations" on what he was doing. Not being limited is important because you must know Pouncey has been practicing for a couple of weeks now but only on a limited basis.

Being cleared to practice in full is a key step before being able to start a game.

"I think I can play and play real well," Pouncey said.

So, barring an unforseen setback in the next few practices on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, you should expect Mike Pouncey to return to the starting lineup on Sunday.

Now the question remains where he'll play moreso than if he'll play. Either way, Pouncey expects to make a difference.

"I think I'm going to make a big one obviously, I can't wait to get back out with the guys," Pouncey said. "Whatever position I'm playing I'll help the team."

So what position is Pouncey going to play?

"Whatever position helps the team win," he said. "We'll see. It's coach Philbin's decision."

Pouncey told The Herald's Barry Jackson he practiced at both guard and center on Monday. I'm told Pouncey has been working at both position for a week now. But with his season debut drawing closer, coaches will try to make a determination which way to lean with Pouncey by the time players return to practice on Wednesday.

Interestingly, Pouncey today said "guard is my natural position. I was forced to play center when I got drafted here." And you'll remember I wrote in my column a couple of weeks ago that Pouncey would be more than open to the move. The Pro Bowl center said he'd become a Pro Bowl guard if he were moved.

If Pouncey starts at center, he'll replace Samson Satele. If Pouncey starts at guard, it will likely be at right guard replacing Dallas Thomas while Satele continues to start at center.

That's the good news.

The bad news?

As you know, I reported earlier that Brandon Gibson was unable to practice today. The Herald's Adam Beasley is reporting the Dolphins have re-signed wide receiver Damian Williams today -- taking the roster spot voided by Derrick Shelby's suspension.

Well, one reason the Dolphins have signed Williams is to guard against the possibility Gibson cannot play on Sunday against Green Bay. The Dolphins did not have to release an injury report on Monday and don't have to until Wednesday. So Gibson's injury issue is currently unknown.