Kosar Set To Start For Dolphins
One day after breaking the NFL record for completions, Dan Marino had knee surgery Monday and the Miami Dolphins quarterback will miss at least one game and possibly more.
Marino underwent arthroscopic surgery in Davie, Fla., to repair torn cartilage in his right knee and had blood drained from his severely bruised left hip.
The injuries occurred during Sunday’s 27-24 overtime loss to Indianapolis. Marino finished the game and broke Fran Tarkenton’s NFL career record for completions.
Marino could be back for the Oct. 22 game against the Jets in New York, but he’s more likely to return against Buffalo the following week.
“We’re not sure how long it’s going to be,” coach Don Shula said. “Every knee is different. Originally they said day to day, but obviously he’s out this week.”
Marino’s replacement Sunday at New Orleans will be Bernie Kosar, starting for the first time in his two seasons with Miami.
“We brought Bernie in for this type of insurance,” Shula said. “We’re confident he can do the job for us.”
Haley changes stance
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Charles Haley apologized to his coaches for an outburst Sunday and withdrew his vow to retire after the season.
“I overreacted to the situation,” he said. “I was frustrated. On reflection I just wish I had a cold Coke and got out of there (Texas Stadium). We can’t have a house divided and I won’t let it happen.”
Haley was steamed because Shante Carver started at defensive end in Sunday’s 34-24 victory over Green Bay.
“They are going to get all that I got this year and that’s it,” Haley said after the game. “They’ll never get me back in this uniform again.”
Haley quickly distanced himself from retirement talk saying “We’ll see about next year.”
Esiason sidelined
Boomer Esiason, his head still pulsating from a shot by Bruce Smith, absolved the Bills defensive end from any blame for the concussion the Jets quarterback sustained in Sunday’s 29-10 loss to Buffalo.
“I’ve seen the hit on our own film and I have seen it on ESPN last night,” Esiason said. “I do not hold Bruce Smith responsible for anything. If I was a football coach, and I had Bruce Smith as my player - and I had other young players coming up - I would say to them, ‘This is how you have to be.’ “
Esiason was checked out by team doctors, received a neurological exam and was told to undergo an MRI and then rest for several days. Backup Bubby Brister, nursing a bruised thumb on his throwing hand, was named the starter for the Jets’ upcoming game with the Carolina Panthers.
Switch upsets Dilfer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Sam Wyche reiterated the team doesn’t have a quarterback controversy despite his decision Sunday to bench Trent Dilfer with the Bucs clinging to a 13-9 lead but clearly out of synch on offense.
Casey Weldon, who also replaced Dilfer the week before when the starter suffered a mild concussion at Carolina, took advantage of Cincinnati turnovers to produce two fourth-quarter field goals that enabled Tampa Bay to overcome a 16-13 deficit in the last four minutes.
The move angered Dilfer, who remains the team’s No. 1 quarterback. Wyche said Dilfer looked tired, the same reason he used when his starter failed to finish a lopsided loss to Chicago four weeks ago.
“You’ve got to be pretty darn tired to come out of a game because of exhaustion,” Dilfer said. “It makes me look like a big wimp to be quite honest with you. That’s probably what ticks me off most.”
End zone
Buffalo is expected to be without wide receiver Andre Reed for six to eight weeks after pulling a hamstring against the New York… . Offensive tackle Bernard Williams returned to Philadelphia following a six-game drug suspension… . Linebacker Lee Woodall, a starter since joining the San Francisco 49ers in 1994 as a sixth-round draft pick, was rewarded with a five-year contract worth $4.2 million… . NFL Properties confirmed that it has signed a licensing deal with Nike Inc. worth an estimated $200 million. The athletic supply company will begin producing uniforms and merchandise for select NFL teams in 1996.