ELVIS EXPECTS TO PLAY AGAINST CHARGERS SUNDAY
ENGLEWOOD (AP) – Elvis Dumervil plans to test his sprained left shoulder at practice Friday in hopes he can play Sunday against San Diego. The Denver Broncos’ two-time Pro Bowl defensive end was injured at Carolina last weekend but medical tests this week showed no torn muscles or ligaments. Dumervil hasn’t practiced all week but said Thursday that his goal is to play against the Chargers. He had a similar injury to the same shoulder that sidelined him for two games and most of a third last season, but Dumervil said this injury is “nowhere near” as serious or as painful as that one was. Dumervil, half of Denver’s “Doom & Gloom” pass-rushing duo with second-year star Von Miller, has seven sacks and an AFC-high five forced fumbles to go with Miller’s 10 sacks.
DEL RIO’S INTENSITY HAS BRONCOS’ “D” PLAYING WELL
ENGLEWOOD (AP) – There are a few more lines around the eyes, each of them a mark of some lesson learned during a head-coaching tenure that lasted nearly a decade, had its share of success but ended badly for Jack Del Rio in Jacksonville.
Some things, however, haven’t changed. The Broncos defensive coordinator, now 49 and reunited with John Fox in the same role he had a decade ago in Carolina, is still a formidable presence whenever he walks onto a football field. And the schemes the NFL linebacker-turned-coach crafts still make life difficult for opposing offenses. Denver’s seventh defensive coordinator in seven years has the Broncos playing fast, and at a level this defense hasn’t reached in a while. They are ranked sixth in yards allowed and 10th in points allowed.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – Fred Jackson will be sitting out with a concussion so fellow running back C.J. Spiller will shoulder most of the load tonight when Buffalo hosts Miami for an AFC East matchup. Spiller leads the NFL in yards per carry at 7.26.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh is in a hospital after doctors discovered he had an irregular heartbeat. The Niners say they expect Harbaugh will be back with the team tomorrow but they don’t know in what capacity. Assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Brad Seeley ran the show at today’s meetings and practice.
ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) – Baseball commissioner Bud Selig (SEE’-lihg) may get involved in the mega-deal between Miami and Toronto. Speaking at the conclusion of the owners meetings, Seleg acknowledged that he is aware of the fan anger in South Florida to the deal. He added that he will do what’s in the best interest of the game.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Free-agent pitcher Brandon McCarthy says he has been medically cleared to resume his regular routine. The good news comes less than three months following emergency brain surgery he underwent after being struck in the head by a line drive while pitching for the Oakland A’s.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) – Two of the NBA’s hottest teams hook up tonight in San Antonio. The 7-1 Spurs bring a three-game winning streak into their home outing with the 5-0 New York Knicks.
