Dolphins Quarterback Chad Pennington Likely Out For The Season

NFL News - September 29th, 2009 - Written by Scott

The Miami Dolphins have started the season 0-3 and things just seem to be getting worse. After winning the AFC East in 2008 and with their playoff goals fading fast, it appears as though starting quarterback Chad Pennington will miss the remainder of the season. Pennington, who has been sidelined throughout his ten year career with shoulder injuries, was hurt in their game Sunday against the San Diego Chargers on a hit delivered by linebacker Kevin Burnett during the third quarter. The Dolphins quarterback was initially diagnosed with a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder, but he will seek a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, an orthopedic specialist who has already performed two surgeries on Pennington.

This means that back up Chad Henne will be Pennington's replacement for the remainder of the season. The former Michigan quarterback and second round draft pick in 2008 finished the game with the Chargers after Pennington's injury and was 10-19 for 92 yards with one interception. This will be his first NFL start and his teammates realize the young quarterback is still learning.

"We're going to have to go out there with Henne, who is a lot less experienced," tight end Anthony Fasano said. "There is definitely going to be a learning curve for Henne. He can learn as much as he wants in a classroom, but until he's out on the field, in-game experience he's not going to learn. But we have a lot of faith in Chad. He's a smart guy, a great leader and fun to play with. We're just going to have to move on."

Quarterbacks seem to come and go in Miami and Henne will become the 14th starting quarterback for the Dolphins since 1999. In his game against the Chargers, he made a few bad decisions and his accuracy seemed a little off, but head coach Tony Sparano saw some things that Henne did well.
"I don't think at any point during the game he was flustered," Sparano said. "His look and demeanor for going into the game at that point were very good, and his handle of the offense was pretty good."

Henne will will get his first start at home Sunday against Buffalo, a team that is 1-2 on the year. He has the opportunity to turn the struggling Dolphins around, which will be a difficult task for a quarterback making his NFL debut as a starter.

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