MIAMI — The winless Miami Dolphins have lost their quarterback.
Chad Henne decided to have season-ending shoulder surgery and was to be placed on the injured reserve list, a person familiar with the quarterback's status said Thursday. The person confirmed the situation to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins hadn't commented.
Henne separated his left shoulder in the first quarter of Sunday's loss at San Diego. He was replaced by Matt Moore, who is expected to make his first start for the Dolphins in their next game Oct. 17 against the New York Jets.
Henne lost his past seven starts for the Dolphins, who are 0-4 with a bye this week. Immediately after the game, he expressed optimism he would quickly be back in the lineup, but the injury turned out to be more serious than he anticipated.
The Dolphins have been shopping for another quarterback to provide depth. Moore took all of the snaps with the first team in practice Tuesday and Wednesday, and the only other healthy QB with the team was rookie Pat Devlin, a member of the practice squad.
Moore will become the 16th quarterback to start for Miami since Dan Marino retired following the 1999 season. Moore's a fourth-year pro with 23 career starts, all with Carolina, and last year he went 1-4 as a starter before a right shoulder injury ended his season.
The Dolphins courted Denver's Kyle Orton this summer before deciding to stay with Henne, who has been much maligned since becoming Miami's starter in 2009.
Henne was jeered by fans during training camp but showed some improvement this season, looking more decisive and winning praise for his leadership. Even so, he ranks 24th in the NFL in passing efficiency, and Miami scored only one touchdown each of the past three games.