MIAMI -- Having lost their focus as well as a key divisional game Sunday, the Miami Dolphins now must deal with the possibility that they could lose one of the inside anchors of their defense.

	Gardener

Beset by a reoccurrence of his chronic back problems, defensive tackle Daryl Gardener flew to Los Angeles on Sunday, missing the Dolphins' game against the Jets, for a Monday examination by Dr. Robert Watkins, one of the country's leading back specialists. The Dolphins expect an update Tuesday.

If Watkins recommends surgery, it could end Gardener's season.

Miami officials said Sunday they don't know what to expect and are holding their breath awaiting results.

"Obviously, he can't play like he is, can't continue to try to function with his back in this kind of shape," said coach Dave Wannstedt. "We have to get to the bottom this."

Gardener, 28, began suffering back stiffness last Tuesday. He underwent two MRI exams and also had an epidural painkilling injection on Thursday, but he continued to have pain and did not practice all week.

In a best-case scenario, one team official allowed, the sixth-year veteran would miss two or three games.

The former Baylor star, a first-round draft choice in 1996, underwent back surgery on Sept. 15, 2000 to repair a herniated disk. He missed six games following that surgery. It is believed the most recent MRI examinations indicated the same disk may have a fragment that requires treatment.

After being placed on an exercise program during this past offseason that was aimed at strengthening his back, Gardener was bothered during preseason by stiffness and had an epidural injection then.

Gardener has 36 tackles and four sacks this season, but he is a player whose value to the Miami defense cannot be measured in statistics alone, since he is often the target of double-team blocking. His role, in part, is to keep blockers away from middle linebacker Zach Thomas.

After the exam by Watkins, a battery of orthopedists, including Miami team physician Dan Kanell, will discuss the results and recommend a plan for treatment.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.