The Associated Press

DAVIE, Fla. - With five snaps under his belt, third-stringer Sage Rosenfels is the Miami Dolphins' most experienced healthy quarterback, and he might make his first NFL start Sunday against the archrival New York Jets.

Ray Lucas is questionable for the game against his former team because he bruised his right shoulder during the second quarter of Monday night's 24-10 loss at Green Bay. He left the game and Rosenfels went 0-for-3 in his first NFL appearance before Lucas returned and played the second half.

An MRI exam of Lucas' shoulder Tuesday showed no tears or broken bones, but it's uncertain whether he'll be able to practice this week, coach Dave Wannstedt said.

"He was hurting pretty good this morning," Wannstedt said.

Lucas struggled in his second start replacing Jay Fiedler, who is expected to miss at least two more games because of a broken right thumb. But the performance was an improvement on Lucas' six-turnover showing two weeks earlier in a loss to Buffalo.

Lucas went 22-for-39 with two interceptions, including one returned 89 yards for a touchdown by Darren Sharper. Many of his 198 yards passing came after Miami fell behind 24-0.

The only other quarterback on Miami's roster is journeyman Dave Dickenson, who hasn't played in an NFL game. The Dolphins don't plan to sign another quarterback.

"If (Rosenfels) has to play, the other guys have to step up," Wannstedt said.

Rosenfels, 24, a former Iowa State star, was acquired Aug.22 from Washington for an undisclosed draft choice.

"Sage is a young kid who has a lot of upside," Dolphins personnel chief Rick Spielman said. "The biggest knock on him coming out of college was if he had enough arm strength. He has proven in preseason and since he has been here that he has more than enough arm strength to do what he needs to do."

COWBOYS: Offensive lineman Jeremy McKinney, 26, had angioplasty to correct a narrowing of a heart artery. He checked himself into a hospital Sunday after experiencing shortness of breath.

McKinney is in good condition and should be released from the hospital by the end of the week, but his playing status for the rest of the season has not been determined.

49ERS: Coach Steve Mariucci says Jose Cortez is still the team's kicker, even after missing two field goal attempts - including an easy 27-yard field goal attempt on the final play of regulation - in Sunday's 23-20 overtime win over Oakland.

"He had a tough day at the office, but he's our kicker," Mariucci said.

Fullback Terry Jackson agreed to a two-year contract extension, even though he won't play again this season because of a torn knee ligament suffered in September.

BROWNS: Cleveland released Roger Chanoine, who started 16 games at right tackle last season. He played in two games this season.

COLTS: Autry Denson was signed to bolster the team's injury-depleted corps of running backs. Edgerrin James and backup Ricky Williams are out with hamstring injuries, and Jim Finn wasn't effective after suffering a mild concussion Sunday against Tennessee.

The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Denson was taken out of Notre Dame by Tampa Bay in the seventh round of the 1999 draft. He had one carry for 4yards last year with Chicago.

The Colts waived defensive back Brian Leigeb.

RAMS: The team signed Hakim Akbar, a 6-foot, 220-pound linebacker who spent this year's training camp with Houston. He played on special teams for New England in six of the Patriots' first nine games last season before going on injured reserve in November after being in an auto accident.

SAINTS: Cornerback Dale Carter reported to practice Tuesday, one day after the NFL ended his suspension for violating its substance abuse policy. Carter, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who had to sit out the 2000 season for substance abuse, failed another test and was suspended indefinitely in July, only months after signing a seven-year, $28 million contract.