NFL | Dolphins lose Brown for rest of the season

MIAMI — Ronnie Brown's season has ended with an injury — again.

The Miami Dolphins' leading rusher was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of a right-foot injury suffered in Sunday's victory over Tampa Bay.

A fifth-year pro, Brown missed the final nine games of the 2007 season with a right-knee injury.

The Dolphins had hoped Brown might be able to return this year but made the roster move after he was examined by a specialist. It's a big blow for a team that ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing and 30th in passing.

The move was announced shortly after the Dolphins (4-5) departed for today's game against Carolina. Ricky Williams, the 2002 NFL rushing champion, will replace Brown in the starting lineup.

Brown was on pace for the best year of his career with 648 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, and he threw for another. He was the triggerman in the wildcat, and it's uncertain how much the Dolphins will use the package with Williams taking snaps.

Notes

• Carolina Panthers running backs DeAngelo Williams (knee) and Jonathan Stewart (Achilles) are questionable for today's game against Miami with lingering injuries.

• Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn has been fined $10,000 by the NFL for his low hit on Baltimore's Terrell Suggs. After throwing an interception in Monday night's 16-0 loss to the Ravens, Quinn dived at Suggs' knees while trying to bring down cornerback Chris Carr, who had picked him off. Suggs had to leave the game and could miss significant playing time with a sprained ligament in his knee. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis accused Quinn of a cheap shot.

• Arizona defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said he has talked to Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck and "everything's cool" between him and the Seahawks quarterback. Dockett said he was disappointed that Seattle coach Jim Mora called it a dirty play when the big lineman's forearm was thrust into Hasselbeck's throat while the quarterback was lying down Sunday during the Cardinals' 31-20 victory over the Seahawks. Dockett said it was an accident.

• The JaMarcus Russell era officially is on hold. Raiders coach Tom Cable said Bruce Gradkowski has replaced Russell as the Raiders' full-time starting quarterback. Russell now is the No. 2, just ahead of Charlie Frye. "It was an easy decision because I feel the responsibility for this football team to give them the best chance to succeed," Cable said.

• The Philadelphia Eagles returned to practice while running back Brian Westbrook visited a pair of concussion specialists. Westbrook, after suffering a second concussion in three weeks, will not play Sunday. Rookie LeSean McCoy will get the start.

• Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot) gave himself an "85 percent" chance of returning to play this week.

• Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (ankle) missed practice, though he still hopes to play Sunday. Backup Chris Simms took the snaps with the starters.

• Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis is unlikely to play again this week as he recovers from a concussion.

• The San Diego Chargers placed linebacker Jyles Tucker (ankle) on the injured reserve list.

• Veteran cornerback Chris McAlister signed with the New Orleans Saints.

• Perry Fewell wasted no time making changes on his first day as the Buffalo Bills' interim coach, picking Ryan Fitzpatrick to be the starting quarterback. Starting left tackle Demetrius Bell is out indefinitely with a right-knee injury.

• New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard had three pins inserted into his broken right thumb and his arm is in a sling, leaving his status for Sunday's game against New England uncertain.

• The Cleveland Browns placed punter Dave Zastudil (knee) and tight end Steve Heiden (knee) on injured reserve.

• Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu wore a heavy brace on his reinjured left knee while watching practice and did not take part in any drills.

• The Detroit Lions put safety Marquand Manuel (shoulder) on injured reserve and signed defensive back DeAngelo Smith.

• Former Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith will serve 18 months of probation after pleading guilty in Jacksonville to drug-possession charges.