An afternoon that began with an electric, 45-yard run by tailback Ronnie Brown ended with Brown limping out of the Miami Dolphins' locker room on crutches.

In an all-too-familiar scene, Brown needed help off the field Sunday after injuring his right leg during the third quarter of the Dolphins' 25-23 victory against the Buccaneers.

Unlike in 2007, when an ACL tear shut him down for the year, the sprained ankle Brown sustained Sunday isn't expected to end his season.

But, in all likelihood, it will keep him out of Miami's next game Thursday at Carolina.

``Obviously, I can't really talk about it right now,'' Brown said. ``We've still got to do some tests and see what happens. We did some X-rays. I don't think it's too bad.''

Still, the injury threatens to derail Brown's best statistical season since in 2006, the only time in his five-year career he has topped 1,000 yards.

Brown, who rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries before leaving the game, is the Dolphins' leading rusher.

He has gained 648 yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry this season. Perhaps most important, he is a dual threat to run and pass out of the Dolphins' Wildcat formation, which has been wildly successful.

It was out of the Wildcat that Brown broke off the long run on the Dolphins' first drive. He started left, shed a tackle and then sprinted back right before finally getting caught at the Buccaneers' 16.

He injured the ankle late in the third quarter on a play in which he fumbled, a turnover that ultimately led to a Tampa Bay touchdown.

``It's just tough coming out of the game in a critical situation,'' Brown said. ``Fortunately, we were able to get a `W.' I just don't like being on the sideline.''

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano would not comment on the injury except to confirm that it was to Brown's ankle, but it is hard to see how he will be able to play against the Panthers in three days.

With Brown likely sidelined, the pressure to carry the offense likely will fall on the shoulders of 32-year-old Ricky Williams, who ran for 102 yards on 20 carries Sunday.

It remains unclear, however, who would take the snaps out of the shotgun in the Wildcat -- if the Dolphins run the formation at all against the Panthers. Williams has lined up as the quarterback at times this season but has not attempted a pass.

The Dolphins also have backup quarterback Pat White, who has seen action mostly out of the spread offense this year. White, a rookie drafted in the second round, has the athleticism to both run and pass -- although he has yet to complete a pass this season. White also has 49 yards rushing this season on 12 carries.

Miami Herald staff writer David J. Neal contributed to this report.

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