ESPN NFL

MIAMI -- The nightmare continues for the Miami Dolphins.

	Larry Chester Defensive Tackle Miami Dolphins Profile
	2004 SEASON STATISTICS Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int 7 7 0 1 0 0

The team learned Monday that starting defensive tackle Larry Chester will miss the rest of the season with a torn right ACL.

"The ACL is torn. I'm done for the year," Chester told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Chester suffered the injury in the first quarter of the Dolphins' 16-13 loss at Cincinnati on Sunday night. He was able to walk off the field unassisted, but an MRI performed at halftime revealed the ligament tear, said Chester's agent, David Levine.

"He worked so hard to get down to 325 pounds this season, which makes it that much more devastating for him," Levine said. "And he's going to get his full salary, but Larry's the type of guy who likes to earn his money. This is hard for him."

Surgery will be scheduled once swelling in the leg subsides, Levine said. Rehabilitation time for ACL tears typically is between nine and 12 months, although Chester hopes to return in time for the 2005 season.

Miami is already without starting defensive tackle Tim Bowens, who missed the first two games of the season with back problems. Bowens is "doing everything humanly possible" in an effort to be able to play against Pittsburgh on Sunday, said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Until Bowens does make it back, the injury to Chester leaves Bryan Robinson, who was signed earlier this month after being released by Chicago, and Jeff Zgonina as the starters at defensive tackle with Dario Romero in reserve.

A six-year veteran, Chester has started for Miami since signing as a free agent in 2002.

His loss is the latest blow for the Dolphins, who also were rocked by the sudden retirement of star running back Ricky Williams before the preseason.

Information from SportsTicker and The Associated Press was used in this report.