Dolphins’ Fiedler Bounces Back From Surgery

Jay Fiedler, who was competing with Damon Huard for the job as Dan Marino’s replacement with the Miami Dolphins, is recovering rapidly from arthroscopic hip surgery and hopes to play in the team’s final exhibition game Aug. 25 against New Orleans.

Fiedler, who underwent surgery last Thursday, is already riding a bicycle and swimming and is pain-free for the first time in weeks.

The hip had bothered him since last spring.

*

Indianapolis linebacker Cornelius Bennett, who initially failed a physical after reporting to the Colts’ training camp July 13, has passed a second physical. Bennett, entering his 14th NFL season, has been rehabilitating a knee injury he suffered in the last regular-season game Jan. 2.

*

Minnesota Viking receiver Randy Moss was back on the practice field, going through a full workout and showing no effects from a bruised shoulder and ribs he suffered Saturday in an exhibition game against New Orleans. Moss was injured at the end of a 55-yard pass play.

*

Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair continued to rest his sore right shoulder and did not practice, except for some light running. McNair played against Kansas City on Saturday night, completing three of five passes for 26 yards and a touchdown in the Titans’ 14-10 victory.

*

New York Giant tight end Pete Mitchell will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today and is expected to be sidelined three to six weeks. Mitchell was injured during the first half of Saturday night’s exhibition loss to the Chicago Bears.

*

It appears receiver Andre Reed, who spent 15 seasons with the Buffalo Bills before signing with the Denver Broncos on the eve of training camp, may end up playing a more significant role for the Broncos than initially thought. With backups Chris Doering and Muneer Moore out because of season-ending injuries, Reed, 36, may end up as the third receiver behind starters Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith.

*

Veteran kicker Jeff Jaeger rejoined the Bears and kicker Michael Husted was released. Jaeger missed 13 games last season because of a hip injury. . . . The Detroit Lions signed safety Leomont Evans, who played for Washington the last four seasons. . . . . The Baltimore Ravens moved quickly to replace injured fullback Charles Evans by signing free agent Sam Gash to a one-year contract. . . . Defensive end Marcellus Wiley surprised the Bills by returning to practice only four weeks after having surgery to repair a bulging disk in his lower back. Wiley, replacing Bruce Smith, was expected to be sidelined six weeks. . . . . The New England Patriots traded an undisclosed draft choice to the St. Louis Rams for rookie wide receiver Dane Looker.