DETROIT -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Miami Dolphins' 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions:
Albert concerns: Several Dolphins players expressed concern for the health of starting left tackle Branden Albert, who was carted off the field due to a second-quarter knee injury and did not return. Although there is no official timeline, the feeling in the Dolphins' locker room is that this is not a short-term injury and Miami will have to adjust its offensive line going forward. Albert was not in the locker room when the media arrived. But Miami rookie offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James said he talked to Albert and he's "in high spirits."
Finnegan optimistic: Albert wasn't the only Dolphins player who couldn't finish the game. Starting cornerback Cortland Finnegan injured his left ankle in the second half and didn't return. Finnegan said after the game that he is hopeful he can play Thursday but isn't sure.
Next game up: The Dolphins were disappointed about Sunday's loss. But players in the locker room realized they couldn't sulk for long. Miami (5-4) will play the Buffalo Bills (5-4) on Thursday in what could turn out to be an elimination game for these AFC East teams. "This has got to be a quick turnaround," center Samson Satele said. "It sucks right now, but as soon as we land [in Miami] we have to focus on Buffalo."
