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Miami Dolphins LB Channing Crowder doubtful for Sunday

Although middle linebacker Channing Crowder missed all the practice reps this week as the Dolphins installed their defensive game plan for the Jets, coach Tony Sparano said he doesn't anticipate any problems with Crowder being mentally ready if his left shoulder is ready to go Sunday.

``You always worry about a guy being prepared mentally if they don't practice,'' Sparano said. ``But from Channing's standpoint, I don't worry about that stuff. He is smart enough mentally to be one of our coaches.''

Crowder's physical readiness, on the other hand, is officially ``doubtful,'' according to Friday's injury report. Statistically, the Dolphins' rush defense is hampered greatly without Crowder, allowing an average of 168 rushing yards over the past five games he has missed. And when he missed the second half against Oakland in 2007, the Raiders, after running for 101 yards on 25 carries in the first half, ran for 198 on 24 carries in the second half. The Jets come in with the NFL's No. 1 rushing offense

Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder 'dinged up'

Linebacker Channing Crowder spent Wednesday's practice on the sidelines, doing exercises for the shoulder he injured in Sunday's loss to New Orleans.

``Just dinged up a little bit,'' Crowder said. ``Shoulder's sore, so they said to sit out and try to get back right. See what [coach] Tony [ Sparano ] has to say. He deals with injury stuff. I hate missing games. I wanted to practice [Wednesday,] to be honest.

``Tony had to talk me out of it.''

Miami Dolphins' Channing Crowder, Jason Ferguson `doubtful' for Sunday

Two key cogs in the Miami Dolphins defense -- middle linebacker Channing Crowder and nose guard Jason Ferguson -- are listed on the final injury report as ``doubtful'' for Sunday's game against New England, which has the AFC's No. 1 offense.

Crowder, whom coach Tony Sparano calls the unquestioned quarterback of the defense and one of its surest tacklers, missed last week's game against the Jets with a shoulder injury. The Jets rolled up 127 yards rushing against the Dolphins' then-No. 4-ranked run defense, which is actually less than the average rush yards allowed in the games Crowder has missed over the past three seasons.

Though Crowder practiced this week, he was limited each day. Charlie Anderson, an outside linebacker who backs up Joey Porter on the weak side, worked with the inside linebackers Thursday and Friday in practice.

NFL Preview - Miami (6-6) at Jacksonville (7-5)

Roughly 13 months ago, the State of Florida was a battleground state in the race to become the 44th President of the United States.

Thirteen months later - somewhat less importantly, mind you - another result in the Sunshine State will go a long way toward crystallizing the picture in the 2009 AFC Playoff race.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, a surprise at 7-5 and currently holding the second of two wild card positions in the AFC, will host their down-state compatriots the Miami Dolphins, who can keep the pressure on both their fellow wild card competitors and the AFC East-leading New England Patriots with a win on Sunday.

NFL Preview - Miami (6-6) at Jacksonville (7-5)

Roughly 13 months ago, the State of Florida was a battleground state in the race to become the 45th President of the United States.

Thirteen months later - somewhat less importantly, mind you - another result in the Sunshine State will go a long way toward crystallizing the picture in the 2009 AFC Playoff race.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, a surprise at 7-5 and currently holding the second of two wild card positions in the AFC, will host their down-state compatriots the Miami Dolphins, who can keep the pressure on both their fellow wild card competitors and the AFC East-leading New England Patriots with a win on Sunday.