Chiefs Not Saying Who Will Start

The identity of Kansas City’s starting quarterback at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day must remain a secret, coach Marty Schottenheimer said.

But if it’s not Rich Gannon, who replaced Steve Bono in the second half Sunday and threw two touchdown passes, the decision will ignite one of the biggest quarterback controversies in Chiefs history.

“I know who’s going to play quarterback, but I’m not talking about it right now because I think it’s in the best interests of our team that I don’t,” Schottenheimer said. “I know what I’m going to do, and I will let you know as soon as I think it’s appropriate.”

The Chiefs (8-4) will be happy to quickly get back into action after a dismal 28-14 loss at home Sunday to San Diego. Down 28-0 late in the third quarter, Schottenheimer benched Bono for Gannon, who completed 22 of 31 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns in his first appearance since the final minutes of last season’s playoff loss to Indianapolis.

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Neil O’Donnell was cleared to play by the New York Jets’ doctors and expects to start Sunday against Houston.

O’Donnell separated his right shoulder against Oakland Oct. 6. He missed six games, in which the Jets went 1-5. They lost the six games in which he played.

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Jim Harbaugh, who was walking on crutches after Sunday’s game, was back jogging slowly with him teammates on Monday and said he was hopeful he’d be available for this week’s game as an emergency quarterback.

Harbaugh, who has overcome a broken nose and ankle injury to start the team’s first 12 games, stretched a ligament in his left knee Sunday when he was hit by New England’s Willie Clay while completing a pass.

“Nothing needs to be repaired surgically. We’ll have to wait and see how severe it is,” coach Lindy Infante said Monday.

Harbaugh said it was decided not to have an MRI performed on the knee.

“They [doctors] seem to know what it is, a stretched or partially torn MCL. I’m going to have a brace made for it,” Harbaugh said.

Paul Justin is expected to start Sunday when the Colts (6-6) entertain AFC East leader Buffalo (9-3).

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Raider punter Jeff Gossett and defensive tackle Chester McGlockton were injured in Sunday’s 27-21 win over the Seahawks. Gossett broke at least one rib when he was tackled on a fake punt and McGlockton hurt his hamstring.

Raiders coach Mike White said the team probably would know today whether Gossett, who was having as much trouble holding the ball as kicking it, would be available this Sunday against Miami.

His replacement, Billy Joe Hobert, averaged 39.5 yards on his two kicks. That’s only slightly less than the 39.7 yards Gossett has averaged on his 57 kicks this season. White said McGlockton, who was unable to run Monday, is questionable for the game against Miami.