Dolphins Lose Seau for Season

Miami Dolphin linebacker Junior Seau is finished for the season because of a calf injury but said he plans to return for a 17th season in 2006, even if it’s with another team.

The loss of Seau further depletes a linebacking corps already missing Zach Thomas (shoulder) for at least two games. The Dolphins play Sunday at Oakland.

Seau played the last three games knowing there was a chance he could rupture his Achilles’ tendon because of the calf injury, which began bothering him in September. The decision to put him on injured reserve was made after he underwent an MRI exam.

Whether Seau will return to the Dolphins is uncertain. A 12-time Pro Bowl selection with the San Diego Chargers, Seau turns 37 in January and is under contract to earn $2.1 million in bonuses and base salary.

“I’ll be back,” he said. “It might not be here, but I’ll be back.”

Seau also finished the 2004 season on injured reserve because of a torn chest muscle.

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The Philadelphia Eagles, already without star quarterback Donovan McNabb (sports hernia) and cornerback Lito Sheppard (ankle), could be without three starters on their offensive line Sunday against Green Bay.

Left tackle Tra Thomas (back) and, left guard Artis Hicks (knee) are doubtful, and right guard Shawn Andrews (shoulder) is questionable.

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Buffalo Bill tight end Mark Campbell sat out a second straight practice because of a hamstring injury and is questionable to play Sunday against Carolina, the team said. He was injured in last Sunday’s loss at San Diego.

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The Kansas City Chiefs signed cornerback Alphonso Hodge to a three-year contract. The fifth-round pick in this year’s draft out of Miami of Ohio had spent 10 weeks on the practice squad. To make room for Hodge, the Chiefs placed defensive end Khari Long on the practice squad.