Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports from today's Dolphins practice that linebacker Channing Crowder has returned to the practice field.

The inside backer missed yesterday's practice traveling to see a groin specialist in Philadelphia.

Crowder missed a month of games and workouts before returning to practice last week; coach Tony Sparano stepped up his workload during this week's sessions. Kelly reports that Crowder sat out some drills during today's practice.

We'll know his exact status when the Dolphins and Pats release their injury reports this afternoon.