Sep 28, 2009 11:13 pm US/Eastern
Pennington Will Be Out For The Season
Pennington Has Torn Shoulder
By Solange Reyner
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Quarterback Chad Pennington sits on the bench after a shoulder injury against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on September 27, 2009 in San Diego, California. Pennington did not return to the game.
Donald Miralle/Getty Images
Dolphins' quarterback Chad Pennington will be out for the rest of the season because of his shoulder injury.
Pennington was diagnosed with a torn capsule after getting hit hard in Miami's game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. He underwent MRI tests on Monday on the shoulder - the same one he had surgery on in 2004 and 2005.
Dolphins' coach Tony Sparano told reporters at his Monday press conference that he didn't know the status of his signal caller, who went down in the third quarter with the game tied at 3-all. He didn't play again.
"I can't rule anything out," Sparano said. "I really don't know the details. ... We're trying to gather a little bit more information."
Pennington was hit by linebacker Kevin Burnett after throwing an incomplete pass on the first possession of the second half. He left the field clutching his right arm and stood on the sidelines the rest of the game with ice over his shoulder.
His injury could mean trouble for the Dolphins, who have rookie Pat White and second-year player Chad Henne as backups.
"The biggest part is his leadership role, and that's what he's brought to the team since he walked into the locker room, and you know, that's tough," said running back Ronnie Brown. "Our expectations aren't gonna change no matter who is our quarterback."
Henne, who replaced Pennington against San Diego, threw for 92 yards on 10 of 19 passing with an interception.
A second-round draft choice in 2008, Henne had only taken snaps in one regular season game prior to Sunday's outing.
Henne will make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Bills.
"We're going to have to go out there with Henne, who is a lot less experienced," tight end Anthony Fasano said.
"There is definitely going to be a learning curve for Henne. He can learn as much as he wants in a classroom, but until he's out on the field, in-game experience he's not going to learn. But we have a lot of faith in Chad. He's a smart guy, a great leader and fun to play with. We're just going to have to move on."
Dolphins fans are devastated about Chad Pennington's injury and fear the loss of their steadying quarterback will lead to a lost season.
"It's pretty disappointing," said Omar Bello. "I feel like I've waited 7 months for nothing. They're my team, but I'm pretty much hoping for a good draft pick next year."
Fans told
CBS4 News they believe now is the time to see what the quarterback of the future, Henne, can bring to the team.
"That's your draft pick from last year," said J.D. Davis. "You're not going anywhere with Pennington anyway, give Henne a chance to play the rest of the season."
Expectations for the Dolphins in 2009 were sky-high, as the team came off an 11-5 finish and an AFC East title in 2008. Three straight losses and the injury to Pennington leave fans without much hope.
"This is the big leagues," George Chancy said. "This is what you get paid for. You gonna have to swallow it. Look at what happened to the Patriots last year with Tom Brady. You gonna have to move forward."
CBS4's Carey Codd & Daniel Lastra contributed to this report.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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