Humphries Expected Back
San Diego quarterback Stan Humphries went through a full practice on Wednesday and is expected to start Sunday’s game at Seattle.
Humphries missed the Chargers’ 23-9 loss to Dallas on Sunday with a bruised right shoulder. His backup, Gale Gilbert, committed turnovers to end the Chargers’ first four possessions.
“It still has pain to it, but I feel like it’s getting stronger,” Humphries said. “I think that probably in a day or two it’s going to get weaker and weaker from throwing so much, but hopefully by Sunday it’ll be all right.”
“I’m hoping so,” offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen said. “We’ll be in trouble if he can’t play.”
That’s because Gilbert was still too sore to practice on Wednesday. He took a pounding from the Cowboys defensive line and was sacked six times. Additionally, coach Bobby Ross said Gilbert wrenched his back picking up his young son last week and is still sore from that.
Humphries made a full range of throws, Ross said.
49ers sign Zendejas
San Francisco, without a kicker since releasing Doug Brien, filled the spot by claiming Tony Zendejas off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons.
In a shakeup of the 49ers’ offensive line, Jesse Sapolu will move to center, replacing Bart Oates, and former University of Montana star Kirk Scrafford comes off the bench to fill Sapolu’s former spot at left guard.
Sapolu was San Francisco’s starting center for five years, making the Pro Bowl after the 1993 season.
The changes follow last Sunday’s 18-17 loss at Indianapolis in which Steve Young was sacked a seasonhigh six times and took two serious hits that resulted in a strain and bone bruise in his left shoulder.
Coach George Seifert said the move was made primarily to get Scrafford, who played for Denver last year, in the lineup.
The 49ers coach also blistered his team in a morning meeting, blaming a lack of focus for recent defeats.
“He let us know that it’s time to play,” left tackle Steve Wallace said. “There’s no two ways about it. Older guys, newer guys, regardless. He’s tired of excuses, tired of pointing fingers. Hey, it’s time to shut up and play.”
Broncos-Raiders, Part II
Dave Wyman said it was just a bad block. He paid for his ineptitude with an ejection and now has been fined $4,000 by the NFL.
The Denver Broncos linebacker spoke for the first time about his altercation with Oakland quarterback Jeff Hostetler in Monday night’s 27-0 victory over the Raiders.
Wyman, confirming he was fined an undisclosed amount, insisted he did not intend to hurt Hostetler when he hit him in the throat.
“I was trying to get a block (on a fumble return), and I’m not a good blocker,” Wyman said. “I screwed up. I paid for it.”
Hostetler played two more quarters after the hit, leaving the game late in the third quarter. He was able to talk only in a whisper after the game, but told his counterpart, Denver quarterback John Elway, he was “going to kill” Wyman.
On Wednesday, Oakland coach Mike White said Hostetler’s voice is fine. However, the quarterback didn’t practice and saw a doctor regarding flu symptoms he’s had the last two weeks.
White said Hostetler will probably play on Sunday against Indianapolis.
An NFL official said the league is reviewing plays by the Raiders in Monday night’s game that may also result in fines.
In another Broncos-Raiders subplot, Oakland defensive tackle Chester McGlockton declined to discuss an incident involving Denver guard Ralph Tamm, who hit McGlockton in the groin late in Monday’s game.
“Ralph better wear a cup against them next time (Dec. 24),” Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said.
Gedney ailing
Chicago Bears tight end Chris Gedney has lost 20 pounds and has been sent back to the hospital for another week of treatment for ulcerative colitis. Gedney, also the punt snapper and holder, spent five days in the hospital earlier this season, but did not respond to initial treatment.