Chad Pennington Out for Season With Shoulder Injury

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the injury suffered by Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington in Sunday's game against the Chargers will end his 2009 season. The initial diagnosis on Pennington's shoulder says he has torn a capsule in his right shoulder. He will seek a second opinion from world-renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews this week. Andrews has already performed two surgeries on Pennington's right shoulder. (Update, Sept. 28: The Sun-Sentinel confirmed Mortensen's report.)

If this report turns out to be correct, it's a big blow for the defending AFC East champion Dolphins, who have already dug themselves a hole -- Miami is 0-3 after Sunday's loss in San Diego. Second-year quarterback Chad Henne would be the de facto starter, and he looked less than impressive Sunday against San Diego.

More Injury News: Niners' Gore Will Miss 3 Weeks

After Henne entered the game, he connected on 10 of 19 passes for 92 yards, but he also threw an interception for a touchdown on a terribly telegraphed pass. Henne has the potential to be a quality NFL starter down the line, but the Dolphins weren't planning on him learning the job on the fly -- not following an 11-win season and a trip to the playoffs.

The only other quarterback currently on Miami's roster is rookie wildcat-extraordinaire Pat White, who has attempted just one pass this season.

Fantasy Spin
Again, we need to verify the news as the absolute truth and wait through Pennington's visit with Dr. Andrews before making any final judgments, but Pennington wasn't a great fantasy option anyway. The impact will be felt elsewhere more than with Pennington himself. We'll need to downgrade Ted Ginn and Davone Bess until we see what kind of rapport they build with Henne.

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will take a slight hit initially, because defenses won't have to worry about being beaten through the air near as much. Of course, if Henne gets himself together, the long-term value of the rushing duo could be helped, because he has a much stronger arm than Pennington and will be able to stretch the field. That's going to take some time, though, as he learns the job on the field.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

9-28-2009 @ 4:58PM

mdsideshow said...

what time did you wake up today hate-o-clock.....stfu

9-28-2009 @ 5:09PM

Douglas said...

ongos4me What???? You get out of bed on the wrong side this morning?

Geez, if life is that bad, why don't you just take a bullet to the head! You are pretty much the Terrel Owen's of public commentators.

LOL

9-28-2009 @ 5:14PM

CPezz said...

9-28-2009 @ 5:19PM

BUTCHBALL said...

Hey, I bet Dan Marino could do a better job than anybody that the Dolphins put out there. Big mistake a couple of years ago, they could of had Drew Brees for nothing. There are plenty of quarterbacks available evey year but they don't want to part with the BUCKS. So, good luck Miami!
What about Donny Strock??

9-28-2009 @ 7:22PM

nikin78 said...

your right Dan Marino could come back. We know he's in shape because of nutrisystem. LOL.

9-28-2009 @ 5:43PM

gpmuny said...

Why don't you tell us how you really feel????

9-28-2009 @ 5:52PM

CASPeR said...

Drop Ted Ginn for Mike Sims-Walker? [aka MSdub]

9-28-2009 @ 6:10PM

lauren said...

You just might be the biggest piece of crap on here. Nobody cares what you think. STFU!!!!

9-28-2009 @ 6:12PM

finfantic0013 said...

Oh that's sooooooo sad, I think i'm going to cry....No wait, that's a tear from me LMFAO, Let's see how well the Dollyphin's do with their back-up quarterback. Wildcat offense just turned into the wildkitten........See you in New England. KARMA KARMA KARMA

Yes that was kama when we kicked the cheating Patriots last year with the "Wild Kitten". Of all the people to run their mouths a N E fan. Special rules are made for you every year so the big baby Brady can be saved. Loved watching him cry yesterday and display his classy attidude. I guess we have an excuse now for not making the playoffs like you guys did last year. go away

9-28-2009 @ 6:24PM

oossbb1 said...

I wish Chad the best. He's a good person and is in my thoughts and prayers. Now, let's gooooooo Pat White!

9-28-2009 @ 6:33PM

Leigha said...

When I saw quarterback out for season...I thought it was going to be from the Lions. Maybe he had passed out and hit his head on something from the shock of actually winning a game.

9-28-2009 @ 7:07PM

pkoronas said...

pennington is a class act so u guys that say he sucks don't no anythingur just haters

9-28-2009 @ 7:16PM

glid13 said...

SUIT UP THE BIG TUNA.

9-28-2009 @ 7:24PM

Ralph Garcia said...

Wow! such hatred for Miami. You must have driven to the ghetto parts of the city. Every city has ghettoes. I've visited lots of cities in the USA. I've lived in New York city as I was born there. I've also lived in Newark, New Jersey and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Tampa-St. Pete area is a little nicer than Miami but jobs pay better in Miami. Also they get blinding rain thunderstorms in Tampa while you drive over dangerous bridges. As for Miami teams, I don't like the Marlins. I'm really a Yankees and Giants fan are there are millions of former New Yorkers living in Miami. Dolphins are okay though. You're probably refering to the Miami people who come from other countries who don't speak Spanish. Yes attendance is low to Marlins games but they suppport the Dolphins. GO YANKEES!!!!GO GIANTS!!!

9-28-2009 @ 7:27PM

The guys in the office better hope Chad Henne is worth a damn, because if he isn't the fan base will not end up in stadium games and we will have a blackout. He better prove something to us fans too, because the office as well as the fans know we could have had Matt Ryan last year. I wish Henne the best and I hope things aren't as bad for Pennington. He is a great leader and a great player. He may not have the arm but he has what it takes to win.

9-28-2009 @ 8:43PM

Jaze Zoninov said...

nikin78 is the only informed football fan out there! The Dolphins invested a second round pick in Chad Henne and were planning on turning the riegns over to him next year.The coaching staff is high on him and believe he is the future of the franchise,but he has to learn to stop staring down his receivers as he did yesterday.I wish Pennington all the best but believe this may be a career ending injury.

9-28-2009 @ 7:31PM

timjofred said...

ongoes4me is really Glenn Beck in disguise. Hates everything, even himself!

9-28-2009 @ 7:47PM

boyadj45 said...

parcells should find a solution. ongos are you normal? or some misplaced hemorroid??

9-28-2009 @ 7:48PM

Tom said...

WildCat this, so with or without Pennington I dont see anything good about this one year big hype football team. Wild cat wild cat what a big joke your team is. A one year flob, The Jets will flob just like the Bills did last year in the 1st half. Patriots will win the division again and yes will beat the Jets in Ne. It is a sure bet. Oh yeah is that the Jets now they are talking about cheating. what goes around comes around little boys