Forget About Faulk Against Chiefs

The Indianapolis Colts’ underdog hopes of reaching the Super Bowl were dealt another setback Friday when surgery sidelined Pro Bowl running back Marshall Faulk for Sunday’s playoff game at Kansas City.

Faulk, who’s seen only limited action since injuring his left knee against Jacksonville on Dec. 10, underwent arthroscopic surgery Friday to remove loose cartilage.

Faulk’s status was uncertain for additional games should the Colts win Sunday.

Lamont Warren, who performed well in place of Faulk in the regular-season finale against New England on Dec. 23, will start against the Chiefs.

Coach Ted Marchibroda said Faulk, who had just one carry in the playoff victory over the San Diego Chargers, has been in pain all week.

“He went to the doctor this morning to try to decide what to do. He worked out this morning and couldn’t go, and decided to go with the scope,” Marchibroda said.

The coach left open the possibility Faulk could play more this season if the Colts keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.

“That’s a best-case scenario, that he’ll be able to play if we continue in the playoffs. I just don’t know for sure if it’ll be next week or not,” Marchibroda said.

Smith probably to miss game

Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith is bedridden with the flu and will probably miss today’s playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Smith suffered from severe headaches and had a 103-degree temperature when he arrived at Rich Stadium in preparation for the team’s flight to Pittsburgh.

Smith this year was voted into his eighth Pro Bowl and is considered among the most dominating defensive ends in NFL history.

Chargers start cleaning house

The San Diego Chargers said goodbye to defensive end Leslie O’Neal and third-down specialist Ronnie Harmon, just two of several moves that will reshape a team that fell far short of defending its AFC championship.

Other unrestricted free agents the Chargers won’t try to keep are backup quarterback Gale Gilbert, who failed to deliver wins in big games against Dallas and Kansas City this year, and linebacker David Brandon. The club also will not re-sign right tackle Stan Brock, a 16-year veteran who lost his starting job at midseason.

General manager Bobby Beathard said he will not exercise the club options of linebacker Dennis Gibson, who made the pivotal pass deflection in last year’s AFC championship game upset at Pittsburgh, and wide receiver Mark Seay, who lost his starting job in 1995.

Reeves to remain as coach

After a disappointing season, New York Giants head coach Dan Reeves announced he will return to coach the team next year.

“I’m not happy with everything that goes on, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t be successful,” Reeves told reporters at a news conference.

Reeves said his contract has not changed and the management structure of the team would not change.

The 1995 season was not an easy one for Reeves. He started by declaring the team was capable of posting an 11-5 record and challenging the Cowboys for the NFC East title. Instead, the Giants finished 5-11 and earned the fifth pick overall in the NFL draft. It was Reeves’ third losing season in 15 years as an NFL head coach.