Middle linebacker Zach Thomas, the heart and soul of the Miami Dolphins' defense for a decade, will attempt to play the remaining five games of this season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Thomas visited noted Birmingham, Ala., orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews on Monday. Andrews cleared him to return to the field despite the injury. If Thomas can get through practices this week and handle the discomfort, he will try to play on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills and wear a harness to limit shoulder movement. Dolphins coaches and team officials have had no comment on Thomas' status for the Buffalo game. Rookie Channing Crowder moved from outside linebacker into the middle to replace Thomas in Sunday's victory over the Oakland Raiders. He will continue in that role if Thomas is unable to return this week.

The Miami Dolphins placed linebacker Junior Seau on injured reserve Wednesday, a move that ends the season for the 16-year veteran, and possibly his stay with the team, as well. Seau, who has an injured Achilles' tendon and calf, also finished on injured reserve last season, when he had a torn left pectoral muscle. At 36, time could be running out, but the 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker said he's not ready to retire yet. "The plan is that I'm going to be healthy, ready to play with two legs rather than one," said Seau, who will require time, not surgery, to heal because the tendon isn't torn or ruptured. "I'll be back. It might not be here, but I'll be back." Seau said it was too early in the year to know whether he'll be a part of the Dolphins' future beyond this season, a notion seconded by Saban, but he plans to remain the team's emotional leader. Seau's injury occurred in a game against the New York Jets on Sept. 18. He played the next two games, but the problem worsened.

Linebacker Zach Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, was carted off the field just before halftime with a shoulder injury he sustained trying to hit Browns rookie quarterback Charlie Frye. Thomas charged Frye and attempted to wrap his arms around the QB, who got off his throw. Thomas hurt himself after minimal contact and immediately grabbed his arm and headed toward the sideline. He was helped off the field in obvious pain, and after being treated on a trainer's table, Thomas was driven to Miami's locker room. The team said his return in the second half was questionable.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Gus Frerotte rejoined practice on a limited basis Friday, an indication he'll probably start at Cleveland despite a sprained right index finger. "We feel like he probably could play in the game, based on what he did today," coach Nick Saban said Friday. Frerotte didn't participate fully in team drills, and backup Sage Rosenfels remains an option for Sunday. Saban declined to say which quarterback will start, hoping to create some doubt for the Browns. "If you had a gun, put it to my head and you say, 'I'm going to shoot you if you don't tell me,' I probably would tell you," Saban said. "But absent the gun, I just said what I am going to say, because if I tell you I tell everybody."

The Miami Dolphins placed wide receiver David Boston on injured reserve Tuesday with a knee injury. The team signed wide receiver Cliff Russell to fill Boston's spot. Russell spent one week on the Dolphins' active roster earlier this year. Boston played five games this season, catching four passes for 80 yards. He was inactive for three games. He was first signed as free agent on Oct. 12.

The Dolphins continue to have talks with agent Leigh Steinberg about a revised contract for running back Ricky Williams, although the talks aren't very close to a resolution. Williams is playing for about $285,000 this season after deducting his fines for three violations of the NFL substance abuse policy. Steinberg said in the past that Williams' salary is not acceptable for a player of his caliber. The Dolphins understand that point and are concerned about Williams' long-term financial situation. However, the team also wants assurances that Williams will continue to work and play as hard as he has since the beginning of training camp. Coach Nick Saban has complemented Williams on his work ethic a number of times since the start of training camp. Executive vice president Bryan Wiedmeier declined to comment on the state of the talks, and Steinberg has not returned several recent calls from The Herald.