Griese Out at Least Three Weeks

Quarterback Brian Griese, who led Denver to victory Monday night despite playing with a separated throwing shoulder, will be sidelined three weeks and possibly longer.

He was injured in the first quarter when he was tackled and Oakland linebacker Elijah Alexander landed on him.

Informed by doctors that he could do no further damage to his shoulder, Griese took a painkilling injection and returned to the game, leading a 27-24 victory. His injury is listed as a third-degree separation--the most severe type--of a joint in the shoulder. Gus Frerotte will replace Griese.

Bronco guard Mark Schlereth will be lost for the remainder of the season because of an injury to his left knee. Schlereth will undergo the 15th surgery on his knee and the second since Oct. 16.

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For the third time this season, the NFL has told the Pittsburgh Steelers that an officiating crew made an incorrect call in a game they ultimately lost. The Steelers were told by league officials that referee Dick Hantak’s crew should have penalized Philadelphia for improperly blocking Hines Ward on an onside kick that proved crucial in the Eagles’ 26-23 overtime victory. . . . Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski returned to practice after missing two games because of a bacterial infection in his foot and is expected to play Sunday at New Orleans. . . . San Diego quarterback Ryan Leaf could play Sunday against Denver, but Coach Mike Riley implied that Jim Harbaugh would start. . . . New England quarterback Drew Bledsoe says his jammed right thumb won’t keep him from starting Sunday, but one of his veteran receivers, tight end Eric Bjornson, was released. The team signed offensive tackle Josh Rawlings and receiver Curtis Jackson. . . . Several Buffalo players are hobbled because of injuries. Missing practice were: guard Ruben Brown (foot); safety Keion Carpenter (ankle); backup defensive back Donovan Greer (ankle); running back Sammy Morris (ankle); nose tackle Ted Washington (neck); backup quarterback Doug Flutie (ankle); and defensive back Antoine Winfield (shoulder). Defensive end Marcellus Wiley (quadriceps) practiced on a limited basis and defensive end Phil Hansen was recuperating from a sprained knee. Defensive end Shawn Price got the day off to rest a nagging knee injury. . . . Jacksonville waived second-year kicker Steve Lindsey and signed kicker Jim Tarle. . . . Miami running back Thurman Thomas, considering retirement after a season-ending knee injury, will wait until after the season to talk about his future.