Jay Ajayi: Miami Dolphins RB clears concussion protocol, has first meeting with Jay Cutler

Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Running back Jay Ajayi has been cleared from the concussion protocol.

The news came Tuesday at Miami Dolphins training camp. Tuesday was also the first time Ajayi met quarterback Jay Cutler.

Ajayi left Dolphins practice on July 31 with the injury, his first career concussion.

"It's new for me," Ajayi said. "I was just all about getting the information and then just making sure that I was healthy enough to get back on the field."

"They said that, usually, concussions [take] 7 to 10 days [to recover from], so [after] about a week I was starting to feel like myself again."

Ajayi said it was "frustrating" to be unable to practice with teammates. He said he didn't have an "indication right now" on if he could play in the Dolphins' second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. Coach Adam Gase said after practice that he was still "thinking" about letting Ajayi play in the game. The Dolphins lost another running back to a concussion on Monday. Kenyan Drake is still in the protocol. Ajayi's injury came on a hit from safety T.J. McDonald while Drake's came from rookie cornerback Torry McTyer.

"I think we're back to what he [Ajayi] was earlier," Gase said. "I think now it's just a conditioning thing for him."

Miami officially signed Cutler on Aug. 7, meaning that by the time he put on his jersey, Ajayi wasn't practicing.

"It's my first time actually meeting him," Ajayi said. "I wasn't familiar with him before. He's a great guy, [he's got] a really cool demeanor about him. You can tell he's a natural quarterback and it's been really good to build our relationship, build that chemistry on the practice field."

Cutler's arrival should excite Ajayi, who has been touting his improved hands all offseason. Cutler has vast experience throwing to pass-catching backs. He spent six seasons with Matt Forte as a member of the Chicago Bears. During that stretch, Forte never had fewer than 44 receptions. He caught 102 passes in 2014.

"Just his familiarity with coach Gase, in general, knowing that it's not going to be too big for him because he's already been in this offense multiple times," Ajayi said. "So for me, it's just knowing that he's comfortable in this offense and knows how to make it work and then everything is on us, the skill players, to create big plays for him."

Gase said that Cutler will play Thursday. The Dolphins and Ravens kick off at 7 p.m. from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.