NFL Exhibition Roundup : Elway Strains Shoulder as Broncos Defeat Colts, 21-20

John Elway threw two touchdown passes to Ricky Nattiel before leaving the game with a shoulder strain, and the Indianapolis Colts fumbled twice inside Denver’s 10-yard line Thursday night, helping the Broncos score a 21-20 exhibition victory at Denver.

The Colts (3-1) missed a chance to win when Dean Biasucci’s 55-yard field goal attempt on the final play went wide right.

Elway injured his shoulder on a 30-yard, cross-field pass to Vance Johnson early in the third quarter. He remained in the game for one more play, hitting Nattiel with a 12-yard scoring pass to give Denver (3-1) a 14-6 lead.

Elway’s injury did not appear to be serious, and he is expected to practice next week for Denver’s opener Sept. 4 against Seattle.

“John felt some pain in his shoulder,” Denver Coach Dan Reeves said, “and we did not feel there was any reason to keep him in there. So we iced it down as a precaution.”

Eric Dickerson of the Colts gained 128 yards in 17 carries and caught 5 passes for 68 yards before departing after three quarters. Dickerson’s 67-yard touchdown run with 4:09 left in the third quarter cut the margin to 14-13.

Bronco backup quarterback Gary Kubiak led an 80-yard drive, with Gerald Willhite scoring from 4 yards out to give the Broncos a 21-13 lead with 10:45 left.

The Colts closed within a point on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jack Trudeau to Albert Bentley with 2:58 remaining.

Indianapolis drove from its on 6 to the Bronco 37-yard line in the final minute before Biasucci missed.

Elway completed 14 of 21 passes for 154 yards, including an 11-yard scoring throw to Nattiel, giving Denver a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Indianapolis had the ball four times inside Denver’s 15-yard line in the second quarter but managed only a pair of field goals by Biasucci. Dickerson and quarterback Gary Hogeboom both fumbled the ball away when it seemed the Colts were about to score touchdowns.

Philadelphia 27, Detroit 9--Randall Cunningham completed 19 of 25 passes for 225 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown strike to Mike Quick, as the Eagles turned back the Lions at Pontiac, Mich.

The Eagles (2-2) led from the start, controlling the game on Cunningham’s passing and Keith Byars’ running to score on three of their first four possessions.

Byars scored on a 17-yard run; Junior Tautalatasi had a 3-yard scoring run, and Dean Dorsey kicked field goals of 35 and 28 yards.

Detroit (0-4) scored on a 20-yard pass from Chuck Long to Pete Mandley, and Mike Cofer tackled Cunningham for a safety. Long completed 21 of 33 passes, with one interception, for 233 yards.

Defensive end Reggie White had three sacks for the Eagles.

Phoenix 41, Kansas City 21--Vai Sikahema scored on an 81-yard punt return, and rookie Tony Jeffery had an 80-yard touchdown run as the Cardinals downed the Chiefs at Kansas City.

Neil Lomax, who completed 12 of 15 passes for 92 yards while playing the first half, and Cliff Stoudt each threw touchdown passes for the Cardinals (1-3).

Al Del Greco added field goals of 35 and 25 yards, both set up when ex-USC star Tim McDonald intercepted passes thrown by Steve DeBerg.

Bill Kenney hooked up with Carlos Carson on a 46-yard touchdown for the Chiefs (2-1-1).

Buffalo 14, Tampa Bay 7--Jim Kelly connected on 9 of 12 passes, including one for a touchdown, as the Bills rallied to beat the Buccaneers at Nashville, Tenn.

Kelly broke a 7-7 tie with a one-yard touchdown pass to Jamie Muller in the second quarter but didn’t play in the second half because of sprained ankle.

Tampa Bay (0-4) took a 7-0 lead on a 41-yard pass play from Vinny Testaverde to Frank Pillow. Testaverde completed 6 of 18 passes for 98 yards and threw 3 interceptions.

Buffalo (1-3) tied the score early in the second quarter when Thurman Thomas ran seven yards for a touchdown.