NFL NOTEBOOK: Dolphins place leading rusher on injured reserve

MIAMI — Ronnie Brown’s season has ended with an injury — again.

The Miami Dolphins’ leading rusher was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of a right foot injury suffered in Sunday’s victory over Tampa Bay.

A fifth-year pro, Brown missed the final nine games of the 2007 season with a right knee injury.

The Dolphins had hoped Brown might be able to return this year but made the roster move after he was examined by a specialist. It’s a big blow for a team that ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing and 30th in passing.

The move was announced shortly after the Dolphins (4-5) departed for today’s game against Carolina. Ricky Williams, the 2002 NFL rushing champion, will replace Brown in the starting lineup.

Brown was on pace for the best year of his career with 648 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, and he threw for another. He was the triggerman in the wildcat, and it’s uncertain how much the Dolphins will use the package with Williams taking snaps.

Williams has rushed for 558 yards. He’s coming off his first 100-yard game of the season and is averaging a career-best 5.3 yards per carry, but he’s 32, and it’s uncertain whether he can handle a workhorse role.

For Brown, the setback could be costly, because he’s in the final year of his rookie contract. Depending on when a collective bargaining agreement is reached, he could become a free agent after this season, and a second major injury in three seasons is sure to hurt his market value.

Polamalu wearing heavy brace

PITTSBURGH — Steelers safety Troy Polamalu wore a heavy brace on his reinjured left knee while watching practice Wednesday and did not take part in any drills. Polamalu limped off the field about 30 minutes before practice ended and did not answer questions. He is all but certain to miss Sunday’s game at Kansas City, and he might not be ready for Baltimore on Nov. 29. Polamalu injured a knee ligament while tackling Cincinnati’s Cedric Benson on Sunday.

Winfield likes his chances

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield has given himself an “85 percent” chance of returning to play this week. Winfield hurt his right foot on Oct. 18 against Baltimore and sat out the last three games. He participated in much of Wednesday’s practice, saying afterward if he’s not ready for Sunday’s game against Seattle he’s “100 percent” sure he’ll play the following week against Chicago.

Bell out indefinitely

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Bills starting left tackle Demetrius Bell is out indefinitely with a right knee injury. Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell on Wednesday listed Bell as week to week, which is an upgrade after the team previously feared the player’s injury might be season-ending. Fewell said Bell will not require surgery.

Ravens sign kicker

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The only thing that could make the Ravens feel any worse about their kicking situation would be Matt Stover booting the game-winning field goal for the Indianapolis Colts in Baltimore on Sunday. Still searching for the right successor to Stover, the Ravens signed former Dallas Cowboys kicker Billy Cundiff on Wednesday. Cundiff replaces Steve Hauschka, who was cut Tuesday after missing several important field goal tries — including a potential game-winner in Minnesota last month. Broncos turn to backup QB

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Kyle Orton isn’t practicing as the Denver Broncos install their game plan for the San Diego Chargers. Backup Chris Simms took the snaps at practice Wednesday because of Orton’s bum ankle. Orton is holding out hope he’ll start Sunday. was knocked out of the Broncos’ 27-17 loss at Washington last weekend with a sprained left ankle.

Quinn fined for block

BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn has been fined by the NFL for his low hit on Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs. After throwing an interception in Monday night’s 16-0 loss to the Ravens, Quinn dived at Suggs’ knees while trying to bring down cornerback Chris Carr, who had picked him off. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis accused Quinn of a cheap shot. Suggs will miss Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Suggs has a sprained ligament in his right knee, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday. The three-time Pro Bowler will miss his first NFL game in seven years — ending his streak at 105 and could be out up to three weeks.

Raiders extend lease

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders have reached a tentative agreement with Alameda County to extend their lease at the Coliseum through the 2013 season. The Raiders’ lease was set to expire after next season. The deal still must be formally approved by the Coliseum Authority, Alameda County, the city of Oakland and the NFL. That is expected to come by the end of the year.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Rashard Robinson (33) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer / Bay Area News Group / Tribune News Services)
Sports psychologist changed Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin’s outlook

The former receiver overcame intense emotions during his player career

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.