Harrington will sign with Miami

Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington has decided to sign with the Miami Dolphins, giving the team a backup to new starter Daunte Culpepper, his agent said Wednesday.

With Culpepper facing an uncertain timetable in his recovery from a serious knee injury, Harrington might be Miami’s No. 1 quarterback when the season begins.

The Dolphins and Lions are expected to complete a trade soon, sending Harrington to Miami. The Lions decided a month ago not to retain Harrington, a starter during his four seasons in Detroit.

“I look forward to joining the Miami Dolphins whenever I am released or a trade is completed,” Harrington said in a statement from his agent, David Dunn. “The Dolphins are an ascending team with great coaching, and I can’t wait to get started.”

The Dolphins barely missed the playoffs last year after winning their final six games. Optimism about the 2006 season rose when Miami acquired Culpepper from Minnesota a month ago.

Gus Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels were the quarterbacks in Nick Saban’s first season as Miami coach last year.

Harrington, drafted No. 3 overall in 2002 out of the University of Oregon, was 18-37 as a starter with the Lions under three coaches: Marty Mornhinweg, Steve Mariucci and Dick Jauron. He threw 60 touchdown passes and 62 interceptions with the Lions, and his career quarterback rating is a modest 68.1.

“I learned so much in Detroit, and I will always value those relationships and that experience,” Harrington said. “At the same time, I am eager to get to work with my new team, whether that happens in a day, a week or a month.”

The Dolphins and Lions have been trying for two weeks to work out a trade for Harrington. Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said the team did not have a comment on the situation. Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene didn’t return a call seeking comment.

The Lions are certain to part with Harrington before June 15, when he is due a $4 million bonus. He’ll likely be replaced by Jon Kitna or Josh McCown, both former starters who agreed to terms with Detroit last month.

49ers, Broncos trade

The San Francisco 49ers added a second first-round pick in next week’s NFL draft by trading second- and third-round picks to Denver for the 22nd pick in the draft.

The first-rounder traded by the Broncos was their second in that round. They also have No. 15, obtained from Atlanta in a three-way deal with the New York Jets that sent defensive end John Abraham to the Falcons.

Denver’s additional picks are the sixth of the second round and the 68th overall in the third.

■At Minneapolis, Minnesota Vikings safety Willie Offord was charged with drunken driving after being stopped early Tuesday for speeding and failing to signal when he changed lanes.

Offord was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree drunken driving, Lt. Mark Peterson of the State Patrol said.