MINNEAPOLIS — VIKINGS
Favre fractures ankle
Brett Favre has two fractures in his left ankle, putting in jeopardy the Minnesota Vikings quarterback’s chances of extending his record run of 291 consecutive NFL starts.
Favre was injured during Sunday night’s 28-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The 41-year-old is wearing a walking boot and hasn’t been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots,the Vikings said on their website.
Favre, who returned to the Vikings in August for a second season and 20th in the NFL, has completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,191 yards through six games this season. He’s thrown 7 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, including 3 Sunday against Minnesota’s division rival, where he spent 16 seasons.
The 11-time Pro Bowl selection hasn’t missed a start since 1992 and has made 314 consecutive appearances including playoff games.
Childress: NFL apologized
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Minnesota Coach Brad Childress says the NFL has apologized for an overturned touchdown that cost the Vikings four points in a four-point loss at Green Bay.
Childress said Monday he called the league about Visanthe Shiancoe’s nullified score late in the second quarter Sunday night. The replay review determined Shiancoe didn’t have proper possession of the ball as he landed after his diving catch.
But Childress said NFL vice president of officiating Carl Johnson acknowledged the mistake and said he was “disappointed that the call was reversed.”
Childress also acknowledged he should have challenged a Packers touchdown, when Andrew Quarless did not appear to have possession of the ball as he hit the ground on his second-quarter catch.
49ERS
Smith awaiting word
LONDON - San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith spent Monday morning at a hospital in London having his injured left shoulder examined and is still waiting to hear if he will be able to play Sunday against the Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium.
The 49ers (1-6) flew to London from Charlotte, N.C., where they blew a late lead and lost to the Carolina Panthers 23-20. Smith was injured on a third-quarter sack and still had his nonthrowing arm in a sling Monday afternoon.
“It’s all right. Could be better,” Smith said after arriving at the team’s hotel outside London from the hospital.
Smith completed 9 of 19 passes for 129 yards, 1 touchdown and no turnovers. He was hurt when a mixup on protection allowed Charles Johnson to come in and tackle him on the blind side, driving his shoulder into the turf.
Smith was still in pain and had not slept much since the team flew to London overnight. As far as playing against the Broncos, the quarterback said he had no idea.
“I’m still waiting to hear from the doctors,” he said.
San Francisco Coach Mike Singletary also was in the dark about Smith’s status.
“I’m not a doctor, so we’ll have to wait and see,” he said.
BUCCANEERS
TE Stevens released
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Jerramy Stevens has been released by the team after being arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.
The Bucs made the move Monday, two days after police said the 30-year-old player was pulled over in his pickup for loud music and an officer smelled marijuana inside the vehicle.
Stevens sat out Sunday’s 18-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
Police said 38 grams of marijuana was found in the truck. Stevens was taken to jail and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The ninth-year pro had three catches for 43 yards and no touchdowns this season.
NFL League: Play clean
NEW YORK - One week after drawing heavy fines for illegal hits, Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison and New England safety Brandon Meriweather were praised by the NFL for clean play in Sunday’s victories.
Ray Anderson, the league’s executive vice president of football operations, told The Associated Press on Monday that Meriweather and Harrison “heeded our emphasis” on eliminating fouls and deserve to be lauded. So do others, Anderson said, after no flags were thrown for illegal hits to defenseless players in the 13 games.
Harrison was fined $75,000 and Meriweather $50,000 for hits to defenseless opponents last week, when the NFL announced it would begin suspending players for such tackles.
“We like to think we’re off to a good start in terms of the new emphasis and the recognition that we are going to play aggressively but well within the rules,” Anderson said. “It’s a good start.”
Anderson also mentioned Harrison, who skipped one day of practice last week and said he contemplated retirement rather than change how he plays. But Harrison played cleanly in a victory at Miami, particularly on a play in which a Dolphins running back was already being hit by another Steeler.
“There certainly was one play, on a hit on a running back, that James Harrison may have taken a shot at the running back going down, and Harrison let up,” Anderson said. “I think he acknowledged he let up when had a chance to put his head and helmet in there. I applaud James for restraining himself.”SUNDAY’S GAMES Baltimore 37, Buffalo 34, OT Washington 17, Chicago 14 Atlanta 39, Cincinnati 32 Tennessee 37, Philadelphia 19 Pittsburgh 23, Miami 22 Tampa Bay 18, St. Louis 17 Cleveland 30, New Orleans 17 Kansas City 42, Jacksonville 20 Carolina 23, San Francisco 20 Seattle 22, Arizona 10 Oakland 59, Denver 14 New England 23, San Diego 20 Green Bay 28, Minnesota 24 OPEN Indianapolis, NY Jets, Detroit, Houston MONDAY’S GAME NY Giants 41, Dallas 35SUNDAY, OCT. 31 - All times Central Denver vs. San Francisco at London, Noon Washington at Detroit, Noon Buffalo at Kansas City, Noon Carolina at St. Louis, Noon Miami at Cincinnati, Noon Jacksonville at Dallas, Noon Green Bay at NY Jets, Noon Tennessee at San Diego, 3:05 p.m.
Minnesota at New England, 3:15 p.m.
Seattle at Oakland, 3:15 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Arizona, 3:15 p.m.
Pittsburgh at New Orleans, 7:20 p.m.
OPEN NY Giants, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland MONDAY, NOV. 1 Houston at Indianapolis, 8:30 p.m.
Sports, Pages 20 on 10/26/2010