With questions swirling about the status of several players, all of which surfaced as a result of the second half of Sunday's loss to the Patriots, the Dolphins managed to find resolution Wednesday to nearly all of their issues.

For the most part, there is plenty to be thankful about.

''Now, we just need to get onto the Rams and forget about all of that extracurricular stuff,'' linebacker Channing Crowder said.

First, let's clear up some lingering issues:

• Crowder will not face a suspension for his role in an altercation with Patriots tackle Matt Light during Sunday's game. Instead, both players have been fined $15,000, the NFL announced.

• Tackle Jake Long, who wasn't able to practice because of a sprained ankle he sustained in the third quarter Sunday, still appears likely to play against the Rams. Long looked agile and quick on his feet during individual drills Wednesday without wearing pads.

''He's a little bit hurt now, but he'll be ready for that game,'' center Samson Satele said. ``I know he wants this matchup [against Rams rookie defensive end Chris Long].''

MORE GOOD NEWS

• Wide receiver Davone Bess will see his first NFL start aside Ted Ginn Jr. on Sunday, coach Tony Sparano said. Bess will replace wide receiver Greg Camarillo, who sustained a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament against the Patriots.

• Linebacker Joey Porter apologized in a statement to fans for failing to listen to coaches when he was told to come off the field in the fourth quarter against the Patriots. Porter did not take questions following his statement.

''I just like to apologize for not respecting Coach Sparano's order to come off the field,'' Porter said. ``I wasn't looking at it that way. I was just staying on the field playing football. I wasn't trying to make it as being disrespectful to the team or not obeying his order.

``I think it got blown out of proportion, but I definitely apologize to coach, staff and that's pretty much it.''

So what does all of it mean, from Crowder's fine to Bess' promotion?

Essentially, it allows the Dolphins to find closure to several situations that could have had a major impact on their game-day roster against the Rams.

That is especially good news because it appears St. Louis also will have a much more complete roster as a result of healthier players.

Rams running back Steven Jackson, who missed the past five weeks because of a thigh injury, took a limited amount of repetitions Wednesday -- but is expected to make his return Sunday.

The same goes for quarterback Marc Bulger (concussion), who is scheduled to start, as well as tackle Orlando Pace, who missed last week's game because of a knee injury.

''Obviously, when you have one of your best players out five weeks it limits you,'' Rams coach Jim Haslett said about Jackson. ``We've still got things to do and holes to fill, but when you get a guy like Steven Jackson back, it gives you hope.''

LOOKING AHEAD

Although the Rams' issues have run much deeper for much longer, the Dolphins also can empathize with the desire to put their most recent game behind them.

With a roster back to being intact (aside from Camarillo's loss), Miami will now focus strictly on the future.

''We've put it in the past, we're done with that and we're going to move on to St. Louis,'' linebacker Matt Roth said.

``It was a hard-fought game, an emotional game, and we're just looking to go up against St. Louis and be disciplined, be smart and try to get a win.''

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