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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
MIAMI (AP) -- The Miami Dolphins solved one question this
preseason: Lamar Smith is their starting tailback.
They will have to wait at least another game to figure out the
quarterback situation.
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Injured hip knocks Dolphins' Thomas out for season
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DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Dolphins wide receiver Lamar Thomas,
scheduled to start the opener in place of O.J. McDuffie, will miss
his second straight season with an injury. Miami placed Thomas on injured reserve Tuesday, the day after he
fractured and dislocated his right hip against Green Bay.
The Dolphins also placed McDuffie on the physically unable to
perform list with a toe injury and waived seven others. McDuffie
will miss at least six weeks. Additionally, defensive end Adewale Ogunleye was placed on
reserve with a non-football injury.
Thomas' injury suddenly leaves the Dolphins thin at what was
once their deepest position. The eight-year pro injured the hip on the first play from
scrimmage against the Packers. He left the field on a stretcher
after catching a 5-yard pass and being tackled by linebacker Mike Morton.
He underwent surgery late Monday night at Holy Cross Hospital
and will remain there for several days, coach Dave Wannstedt said. "His biggest concern was letting the team and letting me
down," said Wannstedt, who spoke with Thomas on Tuesday.
"Obviously, it's most disappointing for him personally because of
how hard he worked to get back and get into position to have a very
successful year."
In his eight-year career, Thomas has 106 catches for 1,558 yards
and 10 touchdowns. He missed all of last season with a left
shoulder injury sustained during the preseason. Miami will turn to veteran receivers Bert Emanuel and Leslie
Shepherd and versatile running back Thurman Thomas to fill the
void, Wannstedt said.
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Without stepping on the field, Jay Fiedler might have gained
ground on Damon Huard in Miami's quarterback competition.
Huard failed to lead the first-team offense to a touchdown for
the third straight preseason game, but the Dolphins scored with 25
seconds to play to beat the injury-riddled Green Bay Packers 17-14
Monday night.
"I'm a little frustrated, but I'm not going to push the panic
button," Huard said. "It's preseason. ... We'll be fine. I know
it's going to turn around."
The game featured four fourth-quarter touchdowns and four missed
field goals by Miami's Olindo Mare.
Mare, a fourth-year player who set the NFL record with 39 field
goals last season, missed from 33, 50, 48 and 51 yards.
"I missed six all last year and three in one game (against
Dallas)," Mare said. "Hopefully, I'll miss four this season and
all in (this) game."
Dolphins rookie Ben Kelly returned a punt 73 yards less than a
minute to play, setting up a 2-yard scoring pass from Mike Quinn to
Deon Dyer. The Packers questioned the ruling, arguing that Kelly
had stepped out of bounds near midfield.
"We thought he stepped on the line," Packers coach Mike
Sherman said. "I had one of the officials tell me that he thought
he stepped on the line and that he thought it would be reversed."
Replays were as unclear as Miami's quarterback situation.
Huard played three quarters, going 16-of-23 for 138 yards. But
without a touchdown in three games, he seemingly left plenty of
room for Fiedler to take over the starting job before the season
opener.
Fiedler, who had arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage
in his right hip on Aug. 3, returned to practice Saturday and
should play significantly in Miami's exhibition finale Friday
against New Orleans. His performance could be an important showing
in the race to replace Dan Marino, the NFL's career passing leader.
The Dolphins -- with as many questions on offense as the Packers
have injuries -- may have found an answer at running back.
Smith carried 15 times for 86 yards, giving Miami a second
consecutive solid outing. He gained 72 yards on 17 rushes last week
against Tampa Bay's stingy defense.
"We felt like Lamar gave us the best chance to run the
football," Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said. "Obviously, after
today that just reinforces our decision. He will be the guy."
Smith could be relied on heavily early this season, especially
with J.J. Johnson facing a four-game suspension for violating the
NFL's steroid policy.
After missing his first three field goals, Mare gave Miami (2-1)
a 3-0 lead in the second quarter with a 34-yarder.
The Packers (1-2), playing without quarterback Brett Favre and
running back Dorsey Levens, struggled to move the ball for much of
the night.
Favre sat out with lingering tendinitis in his throwing arm but
expected to return to practice Wednesday. Levens had arthroscopic
surgery on his left knee last week and is expected to be back in
3-4 weeks.
Matt Hasselbeck, subbing for Favre, was 5-of-12 for 72 yards
against Miami's first-team defense.
"We'll play these guys again in the regular season and it'll be
a whole different ballgame," Hasselbeck said.
Third-teamer Danny Wuerffel had much more success against the
Dolphins' backups. The former Florida Gators quarterback and
Heisman Trophy winner led the Packers to two fourth-quarter
touchdowns, scoring first on an option play and then on a long pass
play.
Wuerffel pitched to Herbert Goodman, who scampered 56 yards
early in fourth.
Miami went back in front 10-7 with 8:15 to play on Quinn's
8-yard scoring pass to Oronde Gadsden.
But two plays later, Wuerffel hit Donald Driver on a simple
buttonhook route. Cornerback Ray Hill whiffed on the tackle,
allowing Driver to sprint down the sideline and into the end zone.
"The games are going to be close," Wannstedt said. "We have
to hold onto the ball, control the clock and play defense -- that's
where we are right now. Whether we like it or not."
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
Green Bay Clubhouse
Miami Clubhouse
Dolphins' Johnson hit with four-game suspension
Packers' Favre hopes to be back for opener
Back from injury, Dolphins' Fiedler rejoins QB race
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Damon Huard and the Dolphins are a little frustrated with their inability to score.
wav: 383 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
"The Whisper" Herbert Goodman breaks one open to put Green Bay on the board.
wav: 98 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
After missing several FG attempts, Olindo Mare nails one with the help of Dennis Miller.
wav: 168 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Dennis Miller talks about President Clinton's most recent trip to Ben & Jerry's.
wav: 326 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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