Injury Sidelines Crowell 6-8 Weeks

Detroit Lion wide receiver Germane Crowell broke the fifth metatarsal on his left foot in practice Friday.

Team spokesman Steve Reaven said Crowell was running a pass pattern when the injury occurred, and it was not caused by contact with another player.

Jay Shoop, the team’s head trainer, said the injury usually requires six to eight weeks to heal.

Shoop said there are two ways to treat such an injury--either by putting a cast on the foot or by inserting a screw.

“It’s definitely going to affect things but at the same time, I’m not sure how long he’s going to be out, but until then, we have to get the other receivers on the same page,” quarterback Charlie Batch said.

Crowell had a breakout season in 1999, leading the Lions in receiving with 81 catches for 1,338 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 27 receptions this season for 320 yards.

The injury comes at a particularly bad time for the Lions, who travel to Tampa Bay for a Central Division matchup Thursday night.

Said fellow receiver Herman Moore: “It’s unfortunate from our standpoint because Germane was an integral part of our passing attack. Before he went down, it was already a tough game, a tough road.”

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With Jason Elam still troubled by a sore lower back, the Denver Broncos auditioned three kickers, one of whom could be added to the roster for Sunday’s game against Cleveland.

Michael Husted, Scott Bentley and Frank Biancamano all worked out for the team, booting field goals and kickoffs--with the emphasis on the latter.

Elam broke two transverse process bones in his lower back while being blocked on a kickoff return against Atlanta on Sept. 10 and missed the next three games. He returned to the lineup last week against San Diego but experienced discomfort during and after the game.

The bones are healing but the attached muscles are inflamed and pressing against nerves in the area. Elam, who is taking anti-inflammatory medicine, believes he may have aggravated his injury on the two-hour flight to San Diego last Saturday.

Coach Mike Shanahan said Elam will kick again today, after which the team will decide whether to go into Sunday’s game with one kicker or two.

“In case Jason can’t go, we’ve got another plan,” Shanahan said. “He’s feeling better. We’ll see how he kicks [Saturday].”

If the Broncos decide to add a kicker, they must do so by 2 p.m. today.

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Miami Dolphin linebacker Zach Thomas says he may miss the team’s next game against the New York Jets after aggravating an ankle sprain. Thomas reinjured his ankle in Sunday’s victory over the Buffalo Bills and said he probably made a mistake trying to play. The Dolphins have a bye this weekend and are off until Oct. 23. . . . Carolina Panther starting receivers Muhsin Muhammad and Donald Hayes practiced Friday, and both said they expect to play Sunday against New Orleans. Muhammad, bothered by a hamstring injury, and Hayes, slowed by an ankle sprain, were held out of practice all week to allow their injuries to heal. . . . New England Patriot defensive tackle Chad Eaton will miss Sunday’s game with the New York Jets after injuring his knee in practice. . . . The New Orleans Saints signed free agent linebacker Corey Terry from the practice squad to a one-year contract. The team also put defensive end Marques Douglas on injured reserve with a knee injury. . . . The Indianapolis Colts re-signed wide receiver Chad Plummer, adding him to the practice squad, and released offensive lineman Josh Tucker.

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Statements and notes made by the wounded girlfriend of Rae Carruth can be used against the former NFL player in his trial on charges of murdering her, a judge ruled.

Carruth, 26, goes to trial Oct. 23 on charges he masterminded the shooting death of Cherica Adams last year.

Superior Court Judge Charles Lamm ruled that most of a 911 call made by Adams when she was shot could be used in court.

He designated in the transcript one portion that could not be used. Prosecutors and defense attorneys refused to say what Lamm barred, and the judge didn’t disclose it in court.

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The shots that killed the father of San Diego Charger defensive tackle John Parrella came from his own gun, officials in Grand Island, Neb., said. County Attorney Jerry Janulewicz said that ballistic tests show the gunshot wounds were inflicted by a handgun owned by Grand Island businessman Joe Parrella.