The Dolphins will try to make a playoff push without a key member of their defense.

Head coach Tony Sparano announced NT Jason Ferguson is done for the season and will be placed on injured reserve after suffering a quadriceps injury to his right leg in the team's win over the Panthers on Thursday night.

Ferguson, 34, will be a free agent after the season and this injury could lead him to retire. He has already said he would call it quits if the Dolphins do not re-sign him.

His absence will leave a major hole in Miami's D-line, but Paul Soliai will take over as the starter and he's expected to share reps with Tony McDaniel and Randy Starks at nose tackle.