DAVIE, Fla., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The Miami Dolphins Monday learned that veteran quarterback Jay Fiedler likely will be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a broken right thumb in Sunday's dramatic come-from-behind 24-22 win at Denver.
Fiedler was hurt with 3:30 left in the fourth quarter. Team doctors say he will be sidelined indefinitely.
"It's a right thumb fracture, down near the joint," said Fiedler, who completing two passes for 39 yards to set up a game-winning 53-yard field goal by Olindo Mare with six seconds left.
Fiedler broke the thumb when he banged it off a helmet after completing a pass to running back Ricky Williams.
"It happened in the second-to-last drive on a throw to Ricky in the flat," said Fiedler, who has a cast on his right thumb. "I came down on a helmet and felt something loose in there, but I was still able to grip and throw."
Despite the injury, Fiedler came out for Miami's last possession after Jason Elam boomed a 55-yard field goal to give Denver a 22-21 lead with just 45 seconds remaining.
After two incomplete passes, Fiedler faced a third down play with 29 seconds left and fired a 17-yard pass to rookie tight end Randy McMichael.
Fiedler was fortunate on his next pass, which was tipped by Broncos linebacker John Mobley into the hands of Dolphins wide receiver Dedric Ward for a 22-yard gain to the Denver 35 with 11 seconds left, setting up Mare's winning kick.
The win gave the Dolphins (5-1) a two-game lead in the AFC East over New England and Buffalo.
Fiedler's injury tempered the elation for Coach Dave Wannstedt.
Ray Lucas is Miami's backup quarterback, and former Washington Redskin Sage Rosenfels is third string.
The Dolphins host Buffalo this Sunday before a bye week. At 5-1, Miami is tied with San Diego, Green Bay, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay for best overall record in the NFL.
