Leaf Works on Golf Game While Injured

Reporters queried San Diego quarterback Ryan Leaf about reports that he played golf on Monday even though he had been saying that his right wrist, which he sprained in a game more than four weeks ago, was too sore for him to practice or play.

So, did he play at The Meadows Del Mar Golf Club?

“I played Monday, and I didn’t play,” Leaf said.

Leaf said he took a cousin out to see the house he’s having built at The Meadows, then walked along with him on the course.

“I walked around with him and chipped and putted,” Leaf said. “If that’s a crime, I guess whoever said anything about it, it’s like what, if I go to a movie and play an Atari game with my wrist, I’m not going to stop doing things like that. I think that’s absurd and ridiculous, period.”

Leaf hurt his wrist in a loss to Seattle on Sept. 24. He raised eyebrows last week when he told reporters that he wouldn’t be able to play against Oakland. That was news to Coach Mike Riley. The next day, Riley told Leaf to discuss his physical condition with him before going public.

On Monday afternoon, Leaf said his wrist was sorer than it had been before the Chargers’ bye weekend, and he didn’t practice.

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New York Jet Coach Al Groh took umbrage with a report claiming he called his team “a bunch of pathetic losers” during a halftime tirade on Monday night, but acknowledged he was livid with his players after a desultory first-half performance against Miami. . . . Quarterback Elvis Grbac took almost half the snaps in practice and expects to be ready for Kansas City’s game at Seattle. . . . Tennessee running back Eddie George tested his sore right knee by running lightly and is confident he’ll play against Washington. . . . Running back Terrell Davis rejoined his Denver teammates in practice and appeared ready to return to the lineup. Fullback Howard Griffith, who has missed the last two games because of a knee injury, also practiced. . . . Buffalo tight end Jay Riemersma has a chance to play this weekend after missing five weeks because of a strained left knee ligament. . . . Embarrassed by his ejection from Sunday’s game against Washington, Jacksonville defensive end Tony Brackens apologized to his teammates. The Pro Bowl pass rusher was caught kicking Redskins guard Jay Leeuwenburg after exiting the pile following a fumble recovery. . . . Miami guard John Bock will miss the remainder of the season after he fractured his right arm during Monday night’s loss to the New York Jets.