It’s been seven years since the Dolphins infamously passed on quarterback Drew Brees to sign Daunte Culpepper.

Brees set the record straight Thursday .

Brees, speaking with Dolphins reporters in advance of Monday’s game against the Saints, Brees said Dolphins trainers told then-Coach Nick Saban they thought it was unlikely he could resume his career after injuring his shoulder in the final game of the 2005 season.

"I do remember him saying their doctors felt I had a 25 percent chance of coming back and playing," said Brees, then playing for the San Diego Chargers.

Brees said he thought "I was (Miami’s) first choice" but that there "are no hard feelings."

Brees’ comments came less than a year after Saban, now the head coach at Alabama, told Dan Le Batard of the sports-talk radio station 790 The Ticket that he had first made an offer to Brees but that Brees failed a physical.

Culpepper had damaged three knee ligaments the year before the Dolphins signed him. He suffered through one injury plagued-season in Miami and only played in four games.

Brees has gone on to play in six Pro Bowls while with New Orleans and led the Saints to the Super Bowl championship in February 2010 — at Sun Life Stadium, no less. Brees was the MVP of that game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Only now does it appear that the Dolphins may have found a franchise quarterback in Ryan Tannehill.

"Everything happened the way it was supposed to," Brees said. "I don’t think about it for a second.

"Obviously, Coach Saban has gone on and probably would not trade his career path for anything, either."

Injury updates: Defensive end Cameron Wake, who reportedly has a mild knee sprain, participated in individual drills for the second straight day Thursday.

If Wake either can’t play or can see only limited duty Monday, rookie defensive end Dion Jordan — the No. 3 overall selection in this spring’s draft — said he is ready for an expanded role.

Jordan didn’t sack Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan last week, but his hit on the Falcons’ final drive led to Ryan throwing an interception that sealed Miami’s victory.

"I did all right," Jordan said. "I got a few pressures, but I still have work to do. I’ve got to be able to finish on quarterbacks."

Defensive tackle Paul Soliai said he did some team drills for the first time since injuring his knee in Week 2 against Indianapolis, but he’s not sure if he’ll be ready to play Monday.

"It was nice just to be out there," Soliai said. "I don’t like being in the training room. I’ve just to get better to help the team."

Cornerback Dimitri Patterson, out since suffering a groin injury in Week 1, was the only Dolphin to miss all of practice Thursday.

Soliai, Wake, safety Chris Clemons (hamstring) and linebackers Dannell Ellerbe (ribs), Jonathan Freeny (shoulder) and Koa Misi (shoulder) were all limited. Misi, who left the game early last week, said he will be ready to play.