Elway to Test Arm Against 49ers Tonight

John Elway will test his arm for the first time under playing conditions since hurting it nearly three weeks ago when the Denver Broncos play the San Francisco 49ers tonight at Mile High Stadium.

Elway, playing for the first time since rupturing a biceps tendon in his throwing shoulder against Miami on Aug. 4, will start and probably play the first half.

Doctors decided the injury would not be repaired. When Elway returned to practice Aug. 10, he threw with no pain.

San Francisco quarterback Steve Young is expected to play no more than a quarter. Young completed 15 of 25 passes for 179 yards but threw two interceptions, fumbled a snap and was unable to get the 49ers into the end zone in a 28-20 loss to Jacksonville last Monday.

On Friday, the 49ers signed center Jesse Sapolu, released in February by the team after heart surgery, as a replacement for injured starter Chris Dalman.

In another 49er player development, tight end Sean Manuel, who quit the team after his brother Sam--a linebacker--was released Tuesday, met with Coach Steve Mariucci and asked to be reinstated. Mariucci said Sean Manuel’s status would be resolved Sunday when the the final roster cut to 53 players is made.

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Washington Redskin wide receiver Michael Westbrook, who pummeled teammate Stephen Davis in a bloody attack during Tuesday’s practice, is expected to address the incident at a team meeting today.

Westbrook did not make the trip Thursday night to Miami for the Redskins’ 28-7 loss to the Dolphins. The Washington Post reported that he was fined $10,000 for the attack and it is not certain if Westbrook will play in the Aug. 31 regular-season opener at Carolina. Westbrook has already been bumped from the starting lineup, and today’s meeting could determine his future with the team.

The Redskins made a roster change Friday, waiving running back Kerry Joseph, who fumbled twice in the loss to the Dolphins, and signing former New York Giant defensive end Jamal Duff.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sought police protection for members of the organization after receiving a report from NFL security that an ex-player tried to buy a handgun this week.

Former linebacker LaCurtis Jones, who blocked a punt in an exhibition game against the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago, was waived last weekend and “didn’t feel he should have been cut from the team,” according to a Tampa police spokesperson.

The Buccaneers, responding to the report that Jones tried to purchase a gun at a pawn shop and also alerted by a player who overheard Jones make veiled threats, requested police officers be dispatched to the club’s headquarters and training facility to provide extra security.

The Buccaneer official, accompanied by police officers, later met with Jones and the team bought an airline ticket that allowed him to return to Austin, Texas, where his family is located.