Druckenmiller May Start

Steve Young’s latest concussion is likely to keep him sidelined for at least a week, and rookie Jim Druckenmiller, the only healthy quarterback on the San Francisco 49er roster, may make his first start Sunday at St. Louis.

Coach Steve Mariucci said Wednesday that Young’s playing status was undecided but it was apparent he was leaning toward making him inactive this week. Mariucci said he would announce his decision today and that the neurologist’s recommendation on Young, who has had three concussions over the last 10 months, carried a lot of weight.

Druckenmiller was the 49ers’ first-round draft choice in April. Backup Jeff Brohm, who has a broken bone in the middle finger of his passing hand and a lower-back injury, didn’t practice but will try to work out today after getting some pain-killing shots.

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Green Bay Packer nose tackle Gilbert Brown pleaded guilty in Green Bay, Wis., to one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct stemming from a domestic dispute with his 23-year-old live-in girlfriend. Sentencing was set for Nov. 6.

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Kicker Brett Conway, Green Bay’s third-round draft choice, was placed on injured reserve after becoming the odd man out when the Packers added tight end Reggie Johnson and defensive back Randy Kinder to the 53-man roster. Conway missed the opener because of a leg injury.

Meanwhile, Packer Coach Mike Holmgren said complaints by Chicago Bear linebacker Bryan Cox about the Packers’ late substitutions may have been valid, saying, “I think in that instance, when Bryan was upset, I just quite frankly got the play in late.”

Cox was fined $10,000 by Chicago Coach Dave Wannstedt for the outburst, which resulted in three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

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Less than three weeks after he was beaten up by Washington Redskin teammate Michael Westbrook during an abrupt attack during practice, running back Stephen Davis is expected to get his first pro start Sunday at Pittsburgh because of the broken left thumb of Terry Allen. Allen is listed as doubtful.

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The partially torn left hamstring suffered by starting left guard Todd Perry forced the Chicago Bears to juggle their offensive line, moving center Chris Villarrial to Perry’s spot and giving Evan Pilgrim his first NFL start at center. Perry is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.