Sources: No rotator cuff damage for Pennington

Even though Chad Pennington's season is over for the Miami Dolphins, surgery revealed that his shoulder repair Friday was encouraging enough that he could resume his career in 2010 if he has the desire, according to sources.

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Pennington's surgery required only an arthroscopic procedure by Dr. James Andrews on Friday, repairing a torn labrum and minimal damage to the joint capsule as the result of a dislocated right shoulder, sources said.

Dr. Andrews did not discover further damage to the rotator cuff which has twice undergone major repair in the past six years. A third repair of the rotator cuff would have jeopardized Pennington's career.

Pennington could resume light throwing within 8-to-12 weeks, a source said, If he does decide to resume his career in 2010, his future with the Dolphins is uncertain because his contract expires after this season.

Uche to stay at AlmeriaShawne Merriman and Chad Pennington both leave Chargers-Dolphins game with injuries