OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Tyrone Wheatley began the week in a hospital room, worried his left leg would never work again. He hopes to end the week back on the football field, facing a team that gave up on him this summer.

In a game matching two clubs with injured starting quarterbacks, Wheatley will try to lead an Oakland Raiders team that features the NFL's top rushing attack against a Miami Dolphins squad that is one of the league's stingiest against the run.

Wheatley had his body twisted while being tackled and fumbling in the third quarter of last weekend's game against the New York Jets. He was taken off the field on a cart after trying unsuccessfully to stand up, and remained in a hospital until Monday afternoon for examination of a lower back injury.

"It was just a little scary. You almost lose the use of your left leg, it's kind of scary," said Wheatley, whose fear didn't subside until Monday morning. "But now I'm cool. I'll be back, man."

By Wednesday, Wheatley was back on the practice field. And though coach Jon Gruden said the tailback showed lingering effects of the injury and was limited in his range of motion, Wheatley was upgraded from doubtful to questionable for this Sunday's game.

Wheatley is tied for the AFC lead with five touchdowns rushing and is eighth in the conference with 421 yards rushing. He paces an Oakland (4-3) rushing game that leads the NFL, averaging 137 yards per game.

The Dolphins (5-1) have been third best in the NFL against the run, allowing just 76 yards per game. They have not allowed a touchdown on the ground.

Wheatley arrived in Oakland during training camp after being cut by the Dolphins, who obtained the former first-round pick in a trade from the New York Giants. Miami coach Jimmy Johnson said he simply had too many running backs in camp.

"I liked Tyrone. I talked to (Raiders owner) Al Davis about him on a couple of occasions," Johnson said. "Had we not brought in these young players, I think he would have made the team."

One of those young players is fifth-round draft choice Cecil Collins, who gained 97 yards on 26 carries last week in a 16-13 win over Philadelphia. The Dolphins, missing starting quarterback Dan Marino, ran for a season-high 149 yards against the Eagles.

Oakland also has been tough against the run, allowing 86 yards per game. The defensive line is led by tackles Darrell Russell and Russell Maryland.

"I think we can run on any team," Collins said. "But they're a great defense. Them Russell boys are pretty tough."

Marino again will be out because of a pinched nerve in his lower neck that has hindered his throwing, giving Damon Huard his second start. Huard threw only 21 passes last weekend, and threw an interception returned for Philadelphia's only touchdown.

Marino, who missed a start for the first time since 1996, said he'll rest his arm and try to rebuild his muscle strength for a couple of weeks.

"My arm has been there for me, no matter what happens," he said. "When my legs don't work, my arm has always been something I can rely on. That's the difference this time."

Oakland's Rich Gannon, who broke a bone in his left wrist against the Jets while throwing the deciding touchdown pass with 26 seconds remaining, was questionable for the game because of the injury to his non-throwing hand.

The Dolphins will be playing in Oakland for the fourth consecutive year. Miami has won its last two visits to the Oakland Coliseum, where Johnson expects to see plenty of guys wearing Darth Vader masks and dog collars in the stands.

"Somebody in the league office doesn't like me, because that's a long, hard trip," Johnson said. "There in Oakland, with some of those wild and crazy fans, it's Halloween more than one day of the year there."

MIAMI Season schedule and results

OAKLAND Season schedule and results

September 13 @Denver W 38-21 September 19 Arizona W 19-16 October 4 Buffalo L 18-23 October 10 @Indianapolis W 34-31 October 17 @New England W 31-30 October 24 Philadelphia W 16-13 October 31 @Oakland 4:05pm ET November 7 Tennessee 8:20pm ET November 14 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET November 21 New England 1:00pm ET November 25 @Dallas 4:15pm ET December 5 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET December 12 @NY Jets 4:05pm ET December 19 San Diego 1:00pm ET December 27 NY Jets 9:00pm ET January 2 @Washington 4:15pm ET

September 12 @Green Bay L 24-28 September 19 @Minnesota W 22-17 September 26 Chicago W 24-17 October 3 @Seattle L 21-22 October 10 Denver L 13-16 October 17 @Buffalo W 20-14 October 24 NY Jets W 24-23 October 31 Miami 4:05pm ET November 14 San Diego 4:05pm ET November 22 @Denver 9:00pm ET November 28 Kansas City 4:15pm ET December 5 Seattle 4:15pm ET December 9 @Tennessee 8:20pm ET December 19 Tampa Bay 4:05pm ET December 26 @San Diego 4:05pm ET January 2 @Kansas City 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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