By Times Staff Writer
Published September 29, 2004
MIAMI - Jay Fiedler will replace A.J. Feeley and start at quarterback for the winless Dolphins when they play the Jets on Sunday, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
That's not the only lineup change: The Dolphins placed running back Lamar Gordon on injured reserve with a dislocated shoulder, meaning he's out for the season.
Feeley has thrown two touchdown passes and five interceptions since supplanting Fiedler at halftime of the Dolphins' opener. Miami is 0-3 for the first time since 1969 and last in the NFL in scoring with 23 points.
Fiedler will rejoin a lineup that has endured weekly shakeups. Both quarterbacks have operated behind a patchwork line, and with the loss of Gordon, the Dolphins are on their fifth running back since July, when Ricky Williams retired.
Running back Leonard Henry, a third-year pro who made his NFL debut Sunday, is expected to start.
Fiedler, a starter the past four seasons, is more experienced and more mobile than Feeley. But Fiedler lost his job by throwing two interceptions in the first half of the opener against Tennessee.
After that game, coach Dave Wannstedt said he would go week to week regarding a starting quarterback. On Tuesday, when the team had the day off, Wannstedt declined to comment on the situation.
Feeley, a former Philadelphia backup acquired in a trade in March, is 55-for-97 for 523 yards this season. In Sunday's 13-3 loss to Pittsburgh, he threw two interceptions, lost a fumble on a sack and drew criticism from Wannstedt for failing to convert a sneak with two inches needed on fourth down.
"A.J.'s young," Wannstedt said Monday. "Every game is a new adventure for him. It's a learning process."
BROWNS: Rookie tight end Kellen Winslow needs a second operation on his right leg and will miss the remainder of this season. Winslow, who broke his fibula during a loss on Sept.19 in Dallas and had it operated on last week, will have surgery Wednesday to stabilize ligaments. Winslow, the No.6 overall pick in this year's draft, was initially expected to be out for at least eight to 10 weeks but will now need longer to recover. ... Running back Lee Suggs, inactive for the first three games with a neck stinger, has been granted medical clearance to practice at full speed this week.
LIONS: Cornerback Rod Babers was placed on injured reserve with a collarbone injury.
