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MIAMI -- Running back Thurman Thomas, mulling retirement
because of a season-ending knee injury, was put on injured reserve
Tuesday by the Miami Dolphins.
The team signed offensive lineman Jason Andersen.
Thomas, 34, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right
knee during the Dolphins' 17-7 victory at San Diego on Sunday.
Thomas missed 11 games last year with a bruised liver, and after
Sunday's game said he might think about ending his career.
"It's a concern for me if I'm looking at 10 months of rehab,"
he said. "I might have to consider retirement."
He said he was emotional Sunday as the pain got worse on the sideline.
"It flashed through my mind for the first time in 13 years,"
he said. "I started to cry a little bit."
He appeared in nine games and was third on the team with 136
yards rushing on 28 attempts. He also had 16 receptions
for 117 yards and a touchdown.
"It's very disappointing for Thurman," Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said. "I
think he really was enjoying himself and was having fun being part
of something that's off to a pretty decent start."
Thomas starred with the Buffalo Bills for his first 12 seasons
and was voted the NFL's Most Valuable Player after the 1991 season.
He has 12,074 yards, 46 short of Franco Harris, who is eighth on
the career rushing list.
Andersen, 25, was New England's seventh-round draft choice in
1998 and played 11 games with the Patriots last season, all as a
reserve.
The Dolphins also signed linebacker Nate Hemsley to their
practice squad. Hemsley played six games with Dallas last year.
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