Although he probably still won't return until Dec. 9, Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler provided at least a glimmer of hope he could be back in the lineup as early as next weekend after throwing a regular football to wide receivers for an abbreviated period Friday afternoon.

Fiedler has been sidelined since Oct. 13, when he broke his right thumb in a victory over the Denver Broncos, and until Friday his rehabilitation largely consisted of tossing a Nerf ball.

But the seven-year veteran was cleared on Thursday to begin throwing with a regulation ball and his Friday session, in which Fiedler demonstrated good velocity, lasted for about seven minutes. Among the receivers to whom he threw was Cris Carter, who said that he is close to returning from a kidney ailment, which has sidelined him since Nov. 4.

Fielder likely will throw on Saturday and Sunday as well, and attempt to increase the length of the workout. Coach Dave Wannstedt once again stressed a cautious approach and reiterated the team will not attempt to rush Fiedler back to the starting lineup.

There is an outside chance now that Fiedler could play next weekend, when the Dolphins face the Buffalo Bills.

Fiedler led Miami to a 5-1 start, as he completed 112 of 176 passes for 1,289 yards, with nine touchdown passes, six interceptions and an efficiency rating of 88.5.

Miami is just 1-3 under backup Ray Lucas who will start again Sunday when the Dolphins host the San Diego Chargers. Lucas has a passer rating of 62.0, and has completed 72 of 126 passes for 811 yards, with two scoring passes and six interceptions.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.