"Chad Pennington's left knee is in a restricted brace, which means he's walking with a labored strut.

But it is good news that Pennington, the Miami Dolphins former starter, is walking, and it's on his own.

The crutches are gone a month after having his left knee repaired following a ACL tear he suffered playing pickup basketball. Pennington said he's been told it was a clear tear, which means the rehab shouldn't be extremely challenging.

He's a long way from running, but the rehab process has started, and the 33-year-old is pushing his body.

Pennington called himself "stupid" for playing basketball for the first time in 10 years earlier this spring. He told the Sun Sentinel the injury happened when his legs got tired and he came down awkwardly.

The 11-year veteran, who is an unrestricted free agent, has plenty of regrets about the basketball accident. But he doesn't intend to feel sorry for himself.

At this stage Pennington admits he doesn't know what his future holds, and he isn't ruling anything out.

"All I'm doing is rehabbing my knee and shoulder. I haven't decided on anything and won't till I'm healthy," said Pennington, who lasted two snaps in his lone start against Tennessee last season before his throwing shoulder gave out again, prompting his fourth shoulder surgery."