NFL players are almost always too optimistic about their chances of playing through injuries. So take these words from Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush about suiting up Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals with a dash of salt.
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"If it were up to me, I'd be playing no matter what," Bush said, via the Dolphins' official site. "I'm going to do everything I can from a physical and mental standpoint to prepare myself as if I'm playing."
So ... you're saying there's a chance? There was a concern Bush could miss multiple weeks with a knee injury, but this is clearly a good sign. Bush missed practice on Wednesday. Dolphins coach Joe Philbin gave the most head coach response possible to Bush's availability against the Cardinals.
"If he's healthy enough, he'll play," Philbin said. "If he's not, he won't."
Bush, who has looked like an MVP contender early in the season, wants to win the NFL rushing title. He'll still have a chance if this is truly a short-term injury.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.