The Miami Dolphins were dealt an injury blow after quarterback Ryan Tannehill exited during the third quarter of their battling 26-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Tannehill was carted off in the third quarter with what early reports said was a potentially season-ending torn knee ligament.

The Dolphins quarterback is to undergo a scan on Monday to assess the extent of the injury, which occurred after a hit by Calais Campbell.

"With all the shots that Ryan has taken this season for him to not see (the hit) coming and not to be able to defend himself is a tough way to get knocked out of a game," Dolphins coach Adam Gase said.

Tannehill hasn't missed a start for the Dolphins since being drafted in 2012.

His absence for the remainder of the season, if confirmed, is a blow to their hopes of snaffling one of the AFC wild card berths.

The Dolphins are currently 8-5 and in the mix for the second and final AFC wild card spot, tied with the reigning Super Bowl champions the Denver Broncos, who lost in Tennessee on Sunday.

Denver's final three games of the season come against daunting opponents --  the New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders.

The Dolphins face two teams with losing records who have little to play for -- the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets -- as well as the Patriots.

Understudy Matt Moore, who hasn't started a game for five years, is likely to slot into Tannehill's place.

"Just looking at Ryan, I knew he was upset," Moore said of Tannehill on Sunday. "I wish him the best. Hopefully, it's not (a) terrible (injury)."

Source: AFP