DAVIE, Fla. -- A text message Chad Pennington received at home provided the first hint of a promotion.

"Can you stop by please," read the message from Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.

"That 'please' kind of threw me," Pennington said later.

Starting quarterbacks enjoy deferential treatment, and Pennington is again No. 1. Sparano announced the change Wednesday, pulling the plug on the Chad Henne experiment in favor of a 34-year-old coming off the latest operation on his right shoulder.

"They both have strengths, and certainly weaknesses," Sparano said. "At this particular time, my decision is Chad Pennington's strengths might be suited a little bit more for where we need to be."

The Dolphins (4-4) play host to Tennessee on Sunday, when Pennington will make his first start since his season-ending shoulder injury in Week 3 last year. He contemplated retirement but re-signed with Miami, where he has won praise as Henne's mentor.