The Miami Dolphins waited to see if quarterback David Garrard could get healthy, but on Tuesday, they stopped waiting.

Garrard said goodbye to his team via Twitter:

"To all the dolphins fans thx for ur support!" Garrard wrote. "Best of luck to all my teammates. Thx for making me feel at home!! Phins up!!"

Garrard practiced on a limited basis Monday and reportedly looked much improved. But he hasn't shown yet that he consistently can stay healthy after missing all of last year with a back problem. Although quarterback Matt Moore has struggled picking up coach Joe Philbin's offense, keeping him was the safer choice.

The release of Garrard means Moore will backup rookie starter Ryan Tannehill, who won the job in the preseason. Moore started 12 games last season.

Garrard, who has been sidelined since early August to remove loose bodies from his knee, was surpassed by rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill in training camp.

"Nothing happened. Just 'Father Time,' wear and tear," Garrard said at the time of the surgery. "They have to take out loose things floating around."

It would be surprising to see Garrard land a job elsewhere, especially after Week 1.

Garrard, 34, said Monday he was preparing for other options should the Dolphins go a different direction. He was the starter in Jacksonville from 2005-10 before signing with Miami in the offseason.