Couch to Make First Start

The Tim Couch era has arrived in Cleveland much sooner than expected as Coach Chris Palmer said the No. 1 pick in the draft will replace Ty Detmer as the Browns’ starting quarterback Sunday at Tennessee.

Gaining only 40 total yards and making only two first downs, Cleveland was rocked, 43-0, in its opener by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Denver Bronco running back Terrell Davis, his right wrist heavily taped, insisted the injury won’t keep him out of Sunday’s game at Kansas City.

Davis was injured during the Broncos’ 38-21 loss to Miami on Monday night, but he wasn’t listed on the team’s postgame injury report.

“I don’t know when it happened,” he said. “I just know that when I left the stadium, it was stiff. When I woke up Tuesday morning, it was real stiff.”

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Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez returned to practice for the first time since injuring his right knee in an exhibition game Aug. 26 and hopes to play in the Chiefs’ home opener against Denver.

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With the status of starting offensive linemen Zefross Moss (ankle) and Heath Irwin (knee) uncertain, the New England Patriots re-signed guard Damon Denson, a fourth-round draft pick in 1997.

To make room for Denson, the Patriots placed wide receiver Sean Morey on the practice squad and released receiver Eddie Conti from the practice squad.

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The Indianapolis Colts released defensive back Monty Montgomery and signed running back Tremayne Stephens to take his spot on the roster.