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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 10:32 p.m., Saturday, July 26, 2008

NFL: Dolphins quarterback Henne ends holdout

By Jeff Darlington
McClatchy Newspapers

MIAMI — Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne has ended a short holdout from training camp and took part in the team's afternoon session yesterday.

Henne signed a four-year deal, becoming the ninth and final draft pick to agree to terms with Miami.

Although financial terms were not immediately available, the NFL Network reported that the deal is worth $3.5 million.

It seemed strange initially that Henne and his agent, Justin Schulman, would allow the holdout to keep him from attending the first practice, given his potential chance to compete for the starting job.

But apparently, because Green Bay Packers quarterback Brian Brohm, who was selected one spot before Henne, had not signed, it was causing issues with negotiations.

Henne is represented by the same agent as quarterback John Beck, who was selected 17 spots before Henne in last year's draft.

Still missing from training camp Saturday were linebacker Joey Porter and cornerback Michael Lehan, who are on the Physically Unable to Perform list and did not practice due to ankle issues.

The prognosis for both is not serious, coach Tony Sparano said. Sparano didn't give a specific timetable, but he doesn't expect either to miss an extended amount of time.

"Joey and Michael Lehan, we put on PUP right now," Sparano said. "Joey was training last week, and he just tweaked his ankle. I think anybody who watched him out there knows it wasn't anything serious. But we need to be careful with him.

"We expect him back shortly."

Porter and Lehan both spent the practice running sprints, and neither appeared to have any substantial limps because of the ankle problems. Sparano said Porter's absence will give the team some important time to evaluate younger players.

Linebackers Junior Glymph and Rob Ninkovich will see repetitions in Porter's spot at strongside linebacker.

Nose tackle Jason Ferguson also dealt with cramps during the morning practice, forcing him to head to the locker room for an IV before finishing the workout with the rest of the team.