Running back Daniel Thomas said his concussion against Houston was “pretty scary” but believes his absence will be short-term. As expected, Thomas was declared out for Sunday’s game against Oakland but said Friday he’s eager to return Sept. 23 against the Jets.

Thomas stretched and stood in formations with the scout team Friday but did not participate in practice.

He sustained the head injury when was hit under the chin by Houston’s Glover Quin, who forced him to fumble shortly before halftime.

“I didn’t know what was going on,” he said. “I never had a concussion before.”

Defensive lineman Tony McDaniel (knee) also was listed as out for Sunday, and receiver Anthony Armstrong (hamstring) was listed as doubtful, though he insisted, “I feel well enough to play.”

Defensive lineman Randy Starks (groin) and linebacker Jonathan Freeny (thumb) are probable.

The Raiders listed receiver Jacoby Ford and cornerback Ron Bartell as out, and four players as questionable: linebacker Rolando McClain, running back Taiwan Jones, long snapper Jon Condo and receiver Juron Criner.

THIS AND THAT

• Coach Joe Philbin wants more from tight end Charles Clay, who played 37 snaps against Houston, but failed to catch the only pass thrown to him.

“There was a little miscommunication,” Philbin said. “That should have been a good completion for a first down.”

Clay caught 16 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, and the Dolphins are using him in a lot of two tight-end sets with Anthony Fasano.

“He’s made good progress,” Philbin said. “We would like to have him contribute more.”

• Philbin said receiver Brian Hartline might play more but was noncommittal about whether he would start. Legedu Naanee started opposite Davone Bess against Houston.

• Philbin said Lamar Miller, who is expected to be active in Thomas’ absence, “has got an excellent future in this league. He’s progressing nicely. He can catch the ball.”

• The Dolphins blared crowd noise during portions of practice this week, which seemed odd because they’re playing at home Sunday. “I was confused about that,” Fasano said.

Hartline said that approach allowed the team to practice its use of hand-signals.

• Texans defensive end Antonio Smith was fined $21,000 for kicking Richie Incognito during Sunday’s game and plans to appeal. After the game, Smith accused Incognito of being a dirty player and trying to break his ankle— charges which Incognito denied. Incognito was not fined. But the NFL fined Dolphins center Mike Pouncey $7,875 for striking an opponent after a play.

• With the Dolphins facing the possibility of many empty seats for their home opener, Philbin said that shouldn’t concern the players. “Regardless of how many fans are in the stands, it really doesn’t matter to them,” he said. “It can’t matter.”

Philbin said the Dolphins are like all other teams in that they have “a loyal, dedicated fan base that loves the team win, lose or draw, and there’s others that kind of have their own opinion on things. We’re building an identity and vision and hopefully this will be a team our fans embrace and be proud of and we start filling up those seats.”