DAVIE, Fla. -- Back from a benching, Joey Porter lacked his usual bluster.
The Miami Dolphins' loquacious linebacker practiced Monday but had little to say about sitting out Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. He was listed as inactive because of a "coach's decision," and the Dolphins haven't elaborated on the reason for the demotion.
"It was a coach's decision," Porter said. "There's nothing else to talk about."
Porter has endured a frustrating season, and it's unclear whether his role will be reduced in Thursday's game at Carolina. Slowed much of this year by a sore right knee and hamstring, he has only 2.5 sacks after leading the AFC with 17.5 last year.
"It's never about me," he said. "It was proven last week it's not about me. As long as we're winning, everything will take care of itself. I learned that a long time ago. It's not about what I'm doing."
In Porter's absence at outside linebacker, replacements Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake had a sack apiece against the Buccaneers.
"They did a great job to step into a role and not having any setback," linebacker Akin Ayodele said. "It was a great challenge for them, knowing the guy they were taking the role from."
Coach Tony Sparano also praised the play of reserve outside linebacker Matt Roth.
But Sparano also defended the production this season by Porter, saying that while his sack total is down, he has improved in other phases.
"That's a credit to Joey," Sparano said. "When you can teach an old dog a new trick and get something out of him, he's letting his coaches coach him, and that's a positive."
Porter said he's healthy and "ready to go" against the Panthers.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
