Dolphins' starting quarterback against Redskins still unknown

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Dolphins' starting quarterback against Redskins still unknown

By Alex Marvez and Ethan J. Skolnick

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-dolnotes20nov20,0,6104499.story?coll=sfla-dolphins-front

DAVIE -- Coach Dave Wannstedt said Wednesday that he may not announce until just before kickoff whether Jay Fiedler or Brian Griese will start Sunday night against Washington at Pro Player Stadium.

Fiedler practiced Wednesday for the first time since suffering a sprained left knee a month earlier in a 19-13 overtime loss to New England. Wannstedt, though, refused to provide details of what Fiedler did.

"Jay worked in every drill and looked fine," said Wannstedt, whose practices are closed to the media. "Brian also did. We'll see how Jay is [Thursday] and take it day to day. They both got some reps. I'm not going to get into who got how much or any more details than that."

Griese has struggled in his past two starts, committing six turnovers and getting sacked four times while completing just 47.5 percent of his passes with no touchdowns.

But Fiedler wants to make sure his sprained medial collateral ligament is sufficiently healed before making a return.

"The main thing is how much confidence I'm going to have in my leg," said Fiedler, who has served as third-string quarterback for four games. "I can't go out there and feel conscious of how my leg is going to react. I've got to go out and just play and go through all my reads without thinking about my drop or taking a step a certain way."

A high school soccer injury may have slowed Fiedler's recovery. Fiedler doesn't have a left posterior cruciate ligament, which compromises his knee's stability when combined with the MCL sprain.

"It is a factor," trainer Kevin O'Neill said.

Fiedler said he never had a problem playing without a PCL, although he did use a brace throughout college at Dartmouth. But his recovery has been slower than others who have had MCL injuries.

Injury update

Left guard Jamie Nails (sprained left ankle) and right guard Todd Perry (hyperextended right elbow) missed Wednesday's practice and are listed as questionable for the Redskins game. Wannstedt said Seth McKinney and Greg Jerman are the potential replacements for Nails and Perry.

Jerman has worked predominantly as a backup tackle, but Wannstedt said he would receive the nod at guard over rookie Billy Yates because he has one more year of experience.

"Jerman may be a better guard because of his physicalness," Wannstedt said. "The guy has a lot more knowledge of what's going on from having been through it last year."

The expected return of center Tim Ruddy (quadriceps) should help offset McKinney's and Jerman's lack of experience if they start.

"I was trying to get out there as quickly as I could anyway," said Ruddy, who dressed but didn't play in Sunday's 9-6 overtime victory over Baltimore. "But I think it's always helpful to have guys who have been there before to help keep things stable."

The only other player listed as questionable on the injury report is cornerback Patrick Surtain, who practiced and has said he would start. Surtain appeared for just three plays against Baltimore after aggravating a sprained right ankle.

Keyshawn coming?

Tampa Bay wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson told the Newark Star-Ledger that the Dolphins are one of four teams he would like to play for next year. The Buccaneers announced Tuesday that Johnson would be deactivated for the rest of the season because of a series of problems with coach Jon Gruden.

Johnson also listed Dallas, New England and the New York Jets as other top candidates. Johnson played under Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and Patriots coach Bill Belichick when they were with the Jets.

"We'll see when the time comes," said Johnson, who is expected to be traded or released by Tampa Bay in the offseason. "I'm just really excited for my future. I have an interest in a lot of places, but returning to the Jets would be something I'd take a strong look at it if were to come up. I want to go to a contender and help win another championship."

The Dolphins are unable to comment on Johnson because he remains under contract with the Buccaneers.

Bowens practices

Defensive end David Bowens participated in team drills for the first time since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in early July. The Dolphins have until Tuesday to decide whether to activate Bowens to the 53-man roster or place him on injured reserve....

To clear a roster space for wide receiver Oronde Gadsden, the Dolphins waived cornerback Alphonso Roundtree....

The Dolphins signed center Ben Claxton to their developmental squad after waiving tight end Dwayne Blakley. ...

The Dolphins will hold their annual canned food drive to benefit the Daily Bread Food Bank before Sunday's game. Fans can bring canned food and non-perishable food items, which will be collected at all gates starting at 6:30 p.m.