Miami Dolphins: QB David Garrard Reportedly Out After Knee Surgery

The three-headed quarterback competition in Miami just got a bit more complicated.

Update: Friday, August 10th at 7:20 p.m. ET

While David Garrard is missing valuable time after reportedly undergoing knee surgery, Fox Sports' Jay Glazer indicates that the anticipated time frame for recovery is just two to four weeks.

"

Just got off phone w David Garrard, says he's getting his knee scoped tomorrow and docs tell him 2-4 weeks rec ... tmi.me/v7Kqp

"

"— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) August 10, 2012"

------End of Update-------

According to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times, newly-acquired Dolphins QB David Garrard has recently had knee surgery and is out for tonight's preseason opener. 

"

Dolphins QB David Garrard very recently had knee surgery that will sideline him, according to a league source.

— Sean Jensen (@seankjensen) August 10, 2012"

"

Indications out of Miami was that David Garrard was playing well. Sounds like its minor knee surgery but it comes at bad time for team

— Sean Jensen (@seankjensen) August 10, 2012"

It was a foregone conclusion that the battle for Miami's starting quarterback job wouldn't be settled before the preseason, but this news is far from insignificant after the Dolphins announced Garrard was first on the depth chart for their preseason opener against Tampa Bay (per ESPN). 

However, the Dolphins have plenty of talent at the position and shouldn't suffer a major setback from the news. Garrard was brought in to be a veteran presence and compete for the starting position, and the latest developments do little to say that he won't have an impact on the 2012 season.

The news could mean that a chance to start an NFL game could come sooner rather than later for Ryan Tannehill, the No. 8 pick in the 2012 draft. He could very well join Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck as starting rookie QBs this season.

However, Miami won't exactly be forced to throw a rookie into the fire early on. Matt Moore has been right in the thick of things for the starting job after showing promise as the team's starter last season.