DAVIE, Fla. -- Defensive tackle Tim Bowens practiced with Miami's first-team defense Thursday, and coach Dave Wannstedt said the 320-pound run stopper will start against the Rams.

"Besides his playing ability, Tim's presence in that huddle and with our defensive guys is a real stabilizing force," Wannstedt said. "I know it is for me. I feel better when he's in there."

Bowens had arthroscopic surgery Sept. 14 to repair cartilage damage in his left knee, a surgery similar to one he had a month earlier on his right knee.

Bowens' left knee started bothering him during training camp, but team doctors thought it was because he had been favoring his right knee since he hurt it last season. Bowens didn't have surgery on his right knee last year, instead opting to play through the injury.

He missed the first game of his career last season with a foot injury, snapping a string of 104 consecutive games played. His missed his second game last Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

"He's been doing all the things other than the practices," Wannstedt said. "Is he in as good shape as you would like? No. But weather conditions shouldn't be a factor."

Bowens' return could be a key factor for Miami in stopping the run -- the team's main goal this and every week.

The Dolphins held Tennessee's Eddie George to 49 yards on 18 carries in the opener and kept Oakland's Charlie Garner and Tyrone Wheatley in check last Sunday. Garner had 30 yards on seven carries and Wheatley ran 15 times for 44 yards.

The Rams' Marshall Faulk has 177 yards rushing on 38 carries this season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.