MIAMI -- Another loss for the winless Miami Dolphins: Quarterback Chad Henne is out for the season.

Henne decided to have shoulder surgery and was placed on the injured reserve list Thursday.

The Dolphins replaced him on the roster by signing veteran quarterback Sage Rosenfels, who was released Tuesday by the New York Giants after recovering from a blood disorder that sent him to the hospital in August.

Henne separated his left shoulder when tackled on a busted play in the first quarter of Sunday's loss at San Diego. The game might have been Henne's last with Miami, because his contract expires after the season.

"It's really disappointing," coach Tony Sparano said. "The kid's got a lot invested in this thing with the team."

Matt Moore took over against the Chargers and will make his first start for the Dolphins in their next game Oct. 17 against the New York Jets.

Henne lost his past seven starts for the Dolphins, who are 0-4 with a bye this week. Immediately after the game, he expressed optimism he would quickly be back in the lineup, but the injury turned out to be more serious than he anticipated.

"It's tough," teammate Jake Long said. "Chad's one of those guys, he's like me, he'll do anything he can to get out on the field. But he can't."

Moore took 150 snaps during three days of practice this week. The only other healthy QB with the team was rookie Pat Devlin, a member of the practice squad.

"It's Matt's job. We've got to get Matt ready to go," Sparano said. "He's a confident guy -- a little different swagger to him when he gets in the huddle."

Moore will become the 16th quarterback to start for the Dolphins since Dan Marino retired following the 1999 season. The list include Rosenfels, who started one game in 2004 and another in 2005. He also started 10 games for Houston in 2007-08.

Now 33, Rosenfels had a strong preseason for the Giants before becoming ill. He was one of several free-agent quarterbacks the Dolphins tried out this week.

"Sage is experienced," Sparano said. "He was a guy that was best in the workout."

Before deciding to sign Rosenfels, the Dolphins worked out several veterans: Jim Sorgi on Thursday, Charlie Frye on Wednesday, and Trent Edwards and Brodie Croyle on Tuesday.

Kellen Clemens and J.P. Losman also were looked at by the Dolphins.