Joey Harrington started in place of Daunte Culpepper on Sunday after Miami's regular quarterback missed a practice last week with a bruised throwing shoulder.

Culpepper, who had been sacked 21 times in four games, was listed as the Dolphins third quarterback for the game against the New England Patriots. That means if he plays before the fourth quarter, the other quarterbacks on the team cannot play.

Cleo Lemon is Miami's other quarterback.

Culpepper missed part of Thursday's practice but participated in the full session Friday and had been listed as probable for the game. Coach Nick Saban said the shoulder injury is a cumulative effect of the sacks.

Culpepper played only the first seven games last season before a season-ending knee injury and hasn't regained his former mobility. The Dolphins entered Sunday's game with a 1-3 record.

On Friday, Saban said Culpepper wanted to play against the Patriots.

``We have to make a decision whether he's physically capable of doing that,'' Saban said. ``He practised OK today. ... We want to put him in a situation where he can be successful. If we feel like he can do that, he'll be ready to go in the game. If that's not the case, then that's why Joey was brought here.''

Harrington was traded for a conditional draft choice in the off-season after spending his first four seasons with Detroit where he started 55 of the 58 games he played.

Culpepper took every snap in the first four games this season and completed 81 of 134 passes for 929 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.