Carswell injured in car crash
Denver Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell, 33, was in critical but stable condition with an excellent prognosis Thursday after he was involved in an accident that ripped the driver’s side door off his car while on his way to team headquarters.
The 12-year veteran, known by his teammates as “House,” fractured multiple ribs, ruptured his diaphragm and spleen and sustained internal injuries.
He was in intensive care at an Aurora, Colo., hospital after a 5-hour operation to remove his spleen and repair internal organ damage. Coach Mike Shanahan said the operation “went as well as it could possibly go,” but dismissed any thought of Carswell playing again any time soon.
“He won’t return this season,” Shanahan said. “It is very serious, what he went through. Now, it’s worrying about recovery and hopefully, not having a lot of pain.”
Shanahan and trainer Steve Antonopulos addressed the team about Carswell’s situation in meetings not long after the morning accident. After the team warmed up at the start of practice, the players broke their huddle by shouting, “House!”
“You just pray for the best. That’s all you can do now,” offensive lineman George Foster said.
Police said Carswell was in one of three cars traveling south on a busy, eight-lane thoroughfare that passes close to Broncos headquarters in suburban Denver – when two northbound cars collided and veered into the southbound lanes.
Bruschi may take Poole’s place
Cornerback Tyrone Poole was placed on injured reserve by New England, leaving a roster vacancy for Sunday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills that could be filled by linebacker Tedy Bruschi.
Bruschi began practicing last week, eight months after suffering a mild stroke. New England must settle on its 53-man roster by 1 p.m. (PDT) Saturday.
Before Bruschi practiced for the third time this week, coach Bill Belichick said he hadn’t suffered any setbacks.
“He’s done what we’ve asked him to do. I don’t think that he’s had any problem with it,” Belichick said.
No more pat-downs at Bucs games
A Tampa, Fla., judge sided with a high school civics teacher who sued to stop security “pat-downs” at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a lawsuit Oct. 13 on behalf of Bucs season ticket-holder Gordon Johnston. It sought to stop Raymond James Stadium officials from conducting the “suspicionless” searches that began last month after the NFL implemented enhanced security at stadiums throughout the league.
Circuit Judge Perry Little agreed with Johnston, issuing a temporary injunction stopping the searches until the lawsuit is resolved. The next Bucs home game is Nov. 6.
The NFL said in a statement it was “disappointed” by the decision but hadn’t had a chance to review the court’s opinion.
Saints linebacker arrested
New Orleans Saints linebacker Courtney Watson was charged with drunken driving in San Antonio but is expected to play Sunday.
Police said the 25-year-old Watson was driving on Interstate 10 when he was pulled over early Wednesday for erratic driving. They said an open bottle of beer was found in the front cup holder of the car.
He failed a field sobriety test but refused a breathalyzer sample, the police report said. Watson was released on $1,000 bond.
Costly fire for Jags’ Peterson
Jaguars linebacker Mike Peterson lost two classic, fully restored cars in a garage fire Monday in Jacksonville, Fla., that caused about $500,000 in damage.
Peterson said the fire was mostly confined to his garage, but smoke spread to his two-story home in the exclusive Queen’s Harbour development. He lost a 1972 Chevrolet Impala and a 1967 Lincoln Continental in the blaze.