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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Paup Reaches End Of Road To Recovery

From Wire Reports

Bryce Paup was sitting in front of his locker, still wearing his shoulder pads with sweat dripping down his face as he cried like a baby.

His teammates asked what was wrong. After all, the Buffalo Bills linebacker had just recorded three sacks against the New York Jets and played his best game in two seasons.

“I was just so happy,” Paup said Monday. “They just didn’t understand where I’ve been for this to happen.

It was overwhelming.”

The Bills obviously didn’t realize how frustrated Paup was last season over a groin injury. They didn’t know about the late-night chat Paup had with his wife after he was making his family life miserable. They didn’t understand how close he was to retiring.

“With all the work and everything that had gone into it, I was very thankful I had the opportunity to do it again,” Paup said. “Almost a year ago, I didn’t know if I’d ever be back to normal again.”

Injury update

Concerned that concussion-prone Steve Young could be one hit away from being driven into retirement, the San Francisco 49ers took a cautious approach to his playing status Monday, saying there’s a chance he may get another week off.

“That certainly will be something that we will talk about to the doctors,” coach Steve Mariucci said. “Will another week minimize (risks) even more? I’m going to ask that question, so I can’t give you an answer until I hear from the doctors.”

Atlanta quarterback Chris Chandler, who suffered a concussion during Sunday’s game against Carolina, was back at the Falcons’ training facility Monday, saying he felt fine other than a stiff neck.

He intends to play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, though doctors told him to guard against contact in practice - standard procedure for an NFL quarterback.

New York Giants receiver Ike Hilliard, the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft, will be sidelined for six to seven weeks with a sprained neck, coach Jim Fassel said Monday - even before getting a second MRI test result that he hoped would not be bleaker.

Miami Dolphins fullback Stanley Pritchett, who tore a band of connective tissue in his right knee during Sunday’s game against Tennessee, will miss two to three months after undergoing surgery.