The Miami Dolphins' euphoria from Sunday night's stunning victory over Denver was short-lived as their attention immediately turned to a new starting quarterback.
Starting quarterback Jay Fiedler had surgery Monday at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale to repair his broken right thumb. Fiedler, who has been a model of consistency in the Dolphins' strong season, is expected to be out at least a month.
"It's hard to approximate bone healing, but I feel comfortable to say that he (Fiedler) will be out a minimum of a month," said Dolphins trainer Kevin O'Neill. "Beyond that, there will be a week-to-week evaluation."
Former Jets QB Ray Lucas, who was solid three years ago as a fill-in after Vinny Testaverde ruptured his Achilles' tendon, will once again be asked to step in and lead a team to the AFC crown.
Lucas, a seventh-year player in his second season as Miami's backup, will start this weekend when the Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills.
"I expect Ray (Lucas) to come in and continue running the ship just like I did," said Fiedler.
Fiedler injured his thumb in the fourth quarter of Sunday night's game. Despite the fracture, he continued to play through the pain.
"I came down on a helmet and felt something loose in there," Fiedler said. "But I was still able to grip the ball and throw."
The Dolphins have been the league's most consistent team, feeding off a strong defense, Fiedler's reliability and the Pro Bowl pace of new running back Ricky Williams.
"It's a tough break for Jay. He certainly showed everybody what kind of quarterback he is," Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said.
Fiedler has completed 112-of-176 passes for 1,289 yards and nine touchdowns with six interceptions this season.
SportsLine.com news services contributed to this report.
FLPANTHERFAN 
