PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AFC : Miami’s Offerdahl Will Have Surgery

Three months after injuring an abdominal muscle, Miami Dolphin linebacker John Offerdahl will undergo surgery today at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

Offerdahl missed eight of the final 10 regular-season games because of the chronic injury and will be sidelined for the playoffs.

“He’s been going to several different doctors to get advice and consultation,” Coach Don Shula said Wednesday. “The recommendation was made that surgery be done.”

Thurman Thomas, the NFL’s leader in total yards from scrimmage for the past four seasons, will probably play in the Buffalo Bills’ playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.

Coach Marv Levy said Thomas, who sustained a hip pointer in last Sunday’s 41-38 victory over the Houston Oilers and missed the Bills’ second-half comeback, participated on a limited basis in Wednesday’s practice.

Three Bills who missed the Oiler game entirely because of injuries are still listed as questionable for the Steelers. Linebacker Cornelius Bennett and cornerback Kirby Jackson have hamstring injuries and safety Matt Darby has a leg injury.

John Elway is expected to regain full use of his left shoulder in four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur, the Denver Broncos said.

The operation on Elway’s non-throwing shoulder was performed on Tuesday by a team physician.

Elway was bothered by the painful condition for much of the 1992 season.

The operation was almost identical to the procedure performed on Elway’s right shoulder last Feb. 13 by orthopedic surgeon Frank Jobe in Los Angeles. After a period of slight soreness and irritation, Elway fully recovered from that surgery.