The Associated Press

DAVIE, Fla. - Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler will miss at least four weeks because of a broken right thumb, making backup Ray Lucas the starter.

Fiedler had surgery to repair the joint Monday afternoon, team trainer Kevin O'Neill said. His throwing hand will be placed in a cast for several weeks before beginning rehabilitation.

"We just need to piece this thing together and figure out what we need to do as a staff and a team to win this football game," said coach Dave Wannstedt, whose Dolphins (5-1) play the Buffalo Bills (3-3) on Sunday.

Fiedler sustained the injury late in Sunday night's 24-22 victory over the Denver Broncos. He was hurt with 3:30 remaining in the game, hitting his throwing hand on a helmet while completing a 5-yard pass to Ricky Williams.

But Fiedler remained in the game and played the final series, setting up Olindo Mare's 53-yard winning field goal with two critical completions totaling 39 yards.

CHIEFS: Kansas City defensive tackle Ryan Sims, the sixth player taken in this year's draft, is probably out for the year with a broken elbow. If so, it will mean the season has been almost entirely lost for the 315-pounder from North Carolina, who missed training camp in a contract holdout and got off to a slow start once the season began.

FALCONS: Former Pro Bowl cornerback Ray Buchanan returned to Atlanta, ending a four-game suspension the NFL imposed after he tested positive for anabolic steroids. Buchanan has 27 interceptions since signing with the Falcons in 1997, tied for the most in the NFL in that span.

GIANTS: New York defensive tackle Keith Hamilton had an MRI on his torn right Achilles' tendon. There was no immediate word on the results, although Giants coach Jim Fassel is confident the injury won't end Hamilton's career.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville lost right tackle Maurice Williams for the season with a broken leg and will have to wait a while to determine the status of quarterback Mark Brunell, who was feeling the effects of a moderate concussion.

PACKERS: Left tackle Chad Clifton tore the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and is expected to miss 1-to-3 weeks.

PANTHERS: Carolina quarterback Rodney Peete needs surgery on his knee and will be sidelined at least three weeks, putting Chris Weinke back in the starting lineup. Panthers coach John Fox said Peete has been playing with a torn meniscus in his right knee.

TITANS: Tennessee defensive end Jevon Kearse isn't expected to play for another four weeks because his broken left foot has been slow to heal. Kearse hoped to return and play against the Bengals on Oct. 27.

Return to Bengals front page...