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.''

Though Crowder has been short on impact plays -- only two forced fumbles, one fumble recovered and zero interceptions since the start of the 2006 season -- his impact on a defense is glaring when he's gone. In the past five games he has missed, the Dolphins defense has allowed an average of 27.4 points, 168.0 rushing yards and 403.8 yards of offense.

If Crowder can't play Sunday, Akin Ayodele would slide over to Crowder's spot and Reggie Torbor would start.

Crowder's absence would remove both ends of his personal rivalry with Jets running back Leon Washington, who broke both bones in his lower right leg Sunday in Oakland. Their battles date back to college when Crowder's Florida Gators would face off against Washington's Florida State Seminoles.

``Kind of a love/hate relationship,'' Crowder said. ``I love playing the guy. He makes you play your best game. I wish I had his cellphone number to call him and tell him, seriously, I'm mad he's not playing.''

INJURY UPDATES

The rest of the Wednesday injury report favors the Dolphins.

Nose guard Jason Ferguson's foot injury limited his work in Wednesday's practice, and running back Ricky Williams practiced with a thumb injury. Outside linebacker Matt Roth returned to practice after missing two days last week with an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, the Jets had three players -- wide receiver David Clowney (ankle), cornerback Lito Sheppard (quadriceps) and guard Brandon Moore (foot) -- who missed practice. Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who missed Sunday's game in Oakland with a hamstring injury, was limited in practice, as were defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee and ankle); linebacker Bart Scott (knee); offensive tackle Damien Woody (foot); and wide receiver Brad Smith (quadriceps).

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