Six weeks ago, Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington endured a third surgery on his right shoulder, ending his 2009 season while leaving doubts about whether his career would be next. These days?

``The shoulder is doing great,'' Pennington said Tuesday, speaking at the Dolphins' Touchdown Club in Miami Lakes. ``I had no muscle damage, which is really good. It was just a dislocation. So with no muscle damage, the rehab is a little smoother.''

As a result, Pennington is continuing to eye a return to the NFL next season -- but he doesn't plan to make any decisions about his future (or where he'll end up) until he has more answers about his recovery.

``I'm going full steam ahead for the next five months,'' Pennington said. ``My goal is by March 1 to be ready to work out for any team, including this team.''

At this point, Pennington, 33, is just getting beyond the preliminary recovery of his shoulder.

``The first four weeks are kind of boring,'' Pennington said. ``Then you get into the passive range of motion, when they move [the shoulder] for you. Now I'm into the active range of motion, where I'm moving it myself, trying to get to full range of motion.

``The hardest thing will be getting back to a throwing motion. That's the last thing to come.''

On Wednesday, Pennington will travel to Birmingham, Ala., where Dr. James Andrews will evaluate the shoulder that he repaired Oct. 2. Andrews and Pennington will spend some time mapping out the quarterback's plans for the next six weeks.

Once the recovery is complete, Pennington (who is under contract in Miami through the end of this year) could have three tough options to choose from: Retiring, competing for a starting job elsewhere or returning to Miami as a veteran backup.

PORTER'S PLAY TIME

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano made it clear Tuesday -- not only will outside linebacker Joey Porter play Thursday against Carolina, Sparano was leaning toward starting Porter.

INJURY REPORT

The Dolphins injury report was unchanged from Monday. Tight end Anthony Fasano's hip injury kept him on the sidelines doing side-to-side strength and agility drills.

Starting left guard Justin Smiley practiced again but was limited. The Dolphins still don't know if Smiley's injured shoulder can withstand contact yet. Nose guard Paul Soliai (ankle), strong safety Gibril Wilson (hamstring) and linebacker Erik Walden (hamstring) also participated in only part of practice.

For Carolina, running back Jonathan Stewart sat out practice with an Achilles injury, as did fullback Brad Hoover (ankle), safety Charles Godfrey (ankle) and defensive end Charles Johnson (pectoral injury).