The Dolphins don't appear dismal enough to land the No. 1 overall draft pick (and the right to choose Southern California senior quarterback Matt Leinart). But the encouraging emerging story for Miami is that most of the other teams in the mix for the top pick have invested in young quarterbacks and would be potential trade partners. The Dolphins must hope Houston (0-6), San Francisco (1-5) or Minnesota (2-4) lands the No. 1 pick, with Green Bay (1-5), New Orleans (2-5) and Arizona (2-4) somewhat appealing options, too. Miami (2-5) must root against Cleveland (2-4) landing No. 1, because they would figure to want Leinart. So might the Jets (2-5), with Chad Pennington returning from shoulder surgery in 2006, and 2-4 Oakland (though Kerry Collins, 32, is playing well). Forget landing a long-term quarterback in free agency. Among impending free agents, San Diego wouldn't lose Drew Brees without compensation (assuming the Chargers keep him ahead of Philip Rivers), Tampa Bay won't lose restricted free agent Chris Simms for nothing, and Cincinnati's Jon Kitna isn't the answer. So if Miami acquires its QB-of-the-future next spring -- which must be a priority -- it likely will happen by drafting one, trading for Rivers (who the Dolphins are believed to like), or trading with a team that has the No. 1 pick. If the Texans land the top choice, they must decide between Leinart and talented but erratic David Carr, whom Houston must pay an $8 million bonus to extend his contract beyond 2005. The 49ers, committed to Alex Smith, likely would be willing to trade the No. 1 pick. The Vikings ( Daunte Culpepper), Saints ( Aaron Brooks), Packers (who have first-round pick Aaron Rodgers in waiting when Brett Favre retires) and Cardinals ( Josh McCown) would face interesting decisions if they get the No. 1 pick. Regardless of what those teams would do, Miami would have a great chance to try to trade for a QB who's an upgrade.

Strong safety Tebucky Jones, who had started all six of the Miami Dolphins' games this season and played well against the run, will be lost for the rest of the 2005 season, after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right pectoral muscle suffered in the second half Friday night. Given the structure of the contract that Jones signed with the Dolphins in March after his release by the New Orleans Saints, there is some question as to whether the veteran safety will return to Miami in 2006. The Dolphins placed Jones on injured reserve and signed Norman LeJeune, who played for coach Nick Saban at LSU, to replace him on the roster. Second-year pro Yeremiah Bell, who has appeared in 19 games but never as a starter, is expected to move into the No. 1 strong safety spot.

Miami Dolphins safety Tebucky Jones underwent surgery to repair a right pectoral muscle tear and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Dr. George Caldwell performed the surgery at Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. Jones suffered the injury in the Dolphins' 30-20 loss to Kansas City on Friday night.

Defensive end Jason Taylor revealed to the Palm Beach Post on Friday that he is suffering from plantar fasciitis in his right foot, an injury that has hobbled and sidelined several athletes for significant periods of time. But Taylor, who played in Friday's loss to the Chiefs despite the pain, has no plans to let the condition keep him down.

The game between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs was rescheduled to Friday night to beat Hurricane Wilma's arrival in Florida. The game will begin at 7 p.m. Friday instead of Sunday afternoon, which is about when Wilma is expected to hit Florida's southwestern coast. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said broadcast and television details were being worked out. It's the third time since the start of the 2004 season that the Dolphins have rescheduled a home game because of a looming hurricane. Last year's home opener against Tennessee was played a day early because of Hurricane Ivan, and the Dolphins' Week 3 game with Pittsburgh was pushed back 7 1/2 hours by Hurricane Jeanne.

Defensive end Jason Taylor was on crutches Monday because of a foot injury, leaving his status for Sunday's game against Kansas City uncertain. Taylor was hurt during the first quarter of yesterday's 27-13 loss at Tampa Bay. He returned to the game but said he was slowed by the injury. The Dolphins didn't disclose the nature of the injury, but coach Nick Saban said Taylor's foot is swollen. Saban said trainers will keep Taylor off the foot for a couple days and evaluate his status later in the week.

After serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, Ricky Williams returns to the Miami Dolphins on Monday. Once thought of indifferently by many teammates in training camp, Williams has made inroads since. "The trust and the respect are already there," wide receiver Chris Chambers told The Miami Herald. "We've seen what he's done since July, working so hard to get back. He has been out there with us throughout the whole process. You see what kind of shape he's in, and he's gained the weight back. He strong, and he's going to help us, and that's what we need." There is one unresolved issue surrounding Williams -- his contract. Agent Leigh Steinberg has asked the team to revisit the deal, perhaps to add some incentives, according to the paper.

Dolphins linebacker Junior Seau returned to practice on Thursday but is still questionable for Sundays game against Buffalo. Coach Nick Saban said Seau participated fully in Thursday's practice and that he was pleased with his progress. Seau is the only Dolphins player listed on the injury report.

Dolphins? tight end Randy McMichael, the fantasy football surprise of the season, has reached an agreement on a contract extension that runs through the 2009 season, and makes him one of the NFL's highest-paid tight ends, ESPN.com has confirmed. The deal will pay McMichael, one of the Dolphins' most consistent offensive performers since joining the team in 2002, an original signing bonus of $1.52 million. There are later bonuses of $4.4 million after the 2005 season and of $3 million after the 2007 season.

Miami was awarded the 2010 Super Bowl on Thursday, the 10th time the city will host the title game. Atlanta, Houston and Miami made a final pitch for the marquee event at an NFL owners meeting in this Detroit suburb about 25 miles from Ford Field, where the next Super Bowl will be played. Atlanta and Houston entered the vote as favorites because Miami already had been picked for the 2007 game. After 2010, Miami will top New Orleans' record of nine for hosting the most Super Bowl games. The 2010 Super Bowl originally was awarded to New York on the condition that a new stadium be built for the Jets. Those plans, however, fell through.