Derrick

Pope

Zach Thomas should miss 1-3 weeks with a partial hamstring tear.

He’s filling in for Junior Seau, who remains injured. Nick Saban gave out some rare praise for Pope, a sign him may hold on to the starting job for a while. Keep an eye on him.

Pope will kick inside next to MLB Channing Crowder in Miami’s 3-4 look. Joey Porter had an interesting observation of Thomas’ situation in last week’s game: “He kept wanting another mouthpiece. A new mouthpiece always fits tighter. When you have a concussion, you can’t bite down as hard.”

The 34-year-old’s status for Week 10 against the Bills is in doubt, which makes Marshawn Lynch’s matchup more favorable. Channing Crowder will start in the middle if Thomas sits, with Derrick Pope manning the weak side.

Coach Cam Cameron will give an update this afternoon. Pope was to start on the weak side Monday night. Donnie Spragan is next on the depth chart.

Pope was replaced by LB Donnie Spragan in the starting lineup, but he played on base coverages and on special teams.

Thomas must make it through a full week of practice without experiencing migraines for doctors to clear him for duty. Channing Crowder has improved recently in the middle, but his replacement on the weak side, Derrick Pope, remains a liability. Give Willie Parker a nice upgrade for Monday night.

“I’ll find out more, but I don’t want to speculate as to what the situation is,” Cameron said. “We’ll update you once we get more information.” Pope could be replaced by Donnie Spragan on the weak side Sunday.

The ‘Fins will be down to their third-string weak side ‘backer if Pope can’t face Pittsburgh. The reason Pope was hospitalized remains uncertain. His agent Saturday downplayed any rumors the hospitalization was drug related.