NFL Notebook
Sapp Is 5th Bronco Felled By Season-Ending Injury
Associated Press
Tuesday, December 5, 2006; Page E03
Denver fullback Cecil Sapp will miss the rest of the season because of a broken left leg, but linebacker Al Wilson could return to practice this week after injuring his neck in the Broncos' loss to Seattle.
Sapp was hurt while returning a kickoff with about three minutes left in the Broncos' 23-20 loss on Sunday night. He was tackled by Niko Koutouvides and Lance Laury and was bent backward in the pile. One of Denver's top special teams players, Sapp will have surgery this week and will be placed on injured reserve.
  The Indianapolis Colts overcome the rain and a sloppy start to beat the Chicago Bears, 29-17. The Colts' victory ignites a wild celebration among the white-and-blue attired fans in the sea of colorful vinyl rainwear that populated the soggy stands. Peyton Manning fills the final hole in his legend as the greatest quarterback never to win the biggest game. Leonard Shapiro: Tony Dungy and Manning seal their place in history by winning the Super Bowl. Manning adds a Super Bowl MVP award to his long list of achievements. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes plow forward for the Colts go-ahead touchdown and never look back. There was a collective failure by the Bears' offense, but Rex Grossman provides the most vivid images. Notebook: Two assistant coaches who participated in the Super Bowl likely will interview for Dallas' head coaching job. On Our Site Wilbon and Kornheiser share their thoughts live during Sunday's big game. Photos: Relive all of the action from the NFL playoffs. Audio: Manning on the Win. Audio: Grossman on the Loss. Audio: Dungy Praises Smith. Quarterly Report (PDF) A Slew of Errors (PDF) Graphic: Play of the Game. MARK MASKE'S NFL INSIDER • Jaguars Tackle in Critical Condition • Lions Bolster Backfield With R. Johnson |
Sapp is the fifth Denver player lost for the season. The other four all were sidelined by knee injuries: defensive end Courtney Brown, left tackle Matt Lepsis and safeties Sam Brandon and Nick Ferguson.
Wilson was immobilized and carted off the field after spraining his neck going for a fumble. Coach Mike Shanahan said Wilson still had some numbness in his shoulders yesterday.
"I was obviously happy to hear the MRIs were negative, the X-rays were negative. He was released out of the hospital last night around 11:15. That was a good sign," Shanahan said. "Hopefully, he feels good Wednesday."
· BILLS: Starting linebacker Angelo Crowell is expected to miss the rest of the season because of a broken left leg.
Crowell was hurt Sunday during a 24-21 loss to San Diego. Bills Coach Dick Jauron said the team is planning to place Crowell on injured reserve. Crowell broke a bone in his lower leg on a run by LaDainian Tomlinson on the Chargers' first possession. Crowell has started all 12 games for the Bills (5-7). He entered the weekend ranked second on the team with 95 tackles.
· BENGALS: Rookie wide receiver Reggie McNeal was arrested in Houston and charged with resisting arrest after being refused entrance to a nightclub early Sunday. McNeal, a former Texas A&M quarterback, was arrested outside The Red Door, Houston police spokesman Gabe Ortiz said yesterday.
Ortiz said McNeal approached two officers who were standing near the entrance and became unruly when the officers told him the club was closing. McNeal "became aggressive and started using profanity" when the officers refused to let him enter, Ortiz said.
McNeal walked away, then approached the officers again and elbowed one of them in the chest. Officers detected "a strong odor of alcohol" from McNeal, police said.
McNeal was taken to jail, then released on a $1,000 bond. He was due in Harris County district court on Friday.
