Niners Lose Other Young

Defensive tackle Bryant Young, the San Francisco 49ers’ leading sacker and part of a run-stopping tandem with Dana Stubblefield, will miss 2-6 weeks with torn ligaments in his right ankle.

Young was injured in Monday night’s loss to Detroit.

Junior Bryant and Oliver Barnett are the top two candidates to play in place of Young, who had three sacks this season and helped San Francisco’s defense to a No. 1 ranking against the run.

“I heard a popping sound and I knew it was something serious,” said Young.

Seahawks receiver Brian Blades has filed a written plea of innocent to a charge of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of his cousin.

The 29-year-old former University of Miami player was charged Sept. 6 with one count of manslaughter with a firearm by the Broward County (Fla.) state attorney’s office. He had been charged by police in July in the death of Charles Blades, 34.

The plea was filed Wednesday in Broward County Circuit Court.

“He couldn’t make the trip because he was practicing,” said Blades’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

The trial was expected to begin sometime after the football season, Rosenhaus said.

The Arizona Cardinals waived offensive tackle Ben Coleman, the 32nd player picked in the 1993 draft.

Although coach Ray Rhodes won’t confirm it until the end of the week, Rodney Peete said he will replace Randall Cunningham as starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Monty Grow will miss the rest of the season after doctors discovered he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Grow was injured Sunday night after intercepting a pass vs. Green Bay.

Houston’s Chris Chandler, who passed for 352 yards and four touchdowns last week, was one of six players honored by the NFL with weekly awards.

Chandler was AFC offensive player and his teammate, John Henry Mills, earned special teams honors with three tackles and a forced fumble. Pat Swilling of the Raiders was top AFC defensive player.

Quarterback Chris Miller of St. Louis was the NFC offensive player; rookie cornerback Orlando Thomas of Minnesota was the NFC defensive player; and former Washington State kicker Jason Hanson, now with Detroit, was the NFC’s special teams player.