Stoerner, Not Leaf,to Start for Cowboys

Clint Stoerner will start at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys against Arizona on Sunday, replacing Anthony Wright, who is out with a chronic sprained knee and could face season-ending surgery.

Stoerner will be the third quarterback to start for the Cowboys (1-4) this season. He has played just three games in his two seasons with Dallas, but was four of seven for 44 yards and two touchdowns against Philadelphia this year.

“Clint is going to start and Ryan [Leaf] is going in as the No. 2,” Coach Dave Campo said after Thursday’s practice. “We’re comfortable if [Leaf] plays, but we’re not going in with the thought process that he’s going to play at a certain point.”

In other Cowboy news, fullback Robert Thomas, who is out for the season after tearing ligaments in his left ankle, has reportedly violated the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Several sources told The Dallas Morning News about the violation. Cowboy spokesman Rich Dalrymple would not comment on the report nor would owner Jerry Jones, vice president Stephen Jones and Thomas’ agent Steve Weinberg. Thomas could not be reached.

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San Diego Charger linebacker Junior Seau practiced at a controlled pace but wasn’t ready to say if his pulled groin muscle will be healed enough for him to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Meanwhile, safety Rodney Harrison was fined $12,500 for a forearm hit to the helmet of Denver wide receiver Eddie Kennison.

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Detroit Lion starting quarterback Charlie Batch missed practice for a second straight day because of a minor case of tendinitis in his right shoulder.

Coach Marty Mornhinweg said Batch might miss today’s practice but is still expected to start Sunday for the winless Lions against Cincinnati.

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The Arizona Cardinals promoted rookie Andy Bowers from the practice squad to replace injured defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Thomas Burke will start Sunday against Dallas with Jabari Issa as his backup at right defensive end. But Bowers may get to dress for his first NFL game, because listing him as inactive would leave Arizona with only three defensive ends.

Ray Thompson, a starting outside linebacker for the Cardinals, was fined and deactivated for this week’s game for missing practice and meetings after a traffic accident.

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The guessing game involving running back Terrell Davis produced no clear answers after the Denver Broncos practiced. Bothered by soreness in his lower left leg and five weeks removed from surgery on his right knee, Davis practiced with the Broncos but remained questionable for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

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Kansas City Chief defensive tackle John Browning was put on the injured reserve list. The team claimed Washington defensive tackle Tyrone Williams off waivers to take Browning’s roster spot. ... The Minnesota Vikings re-signed wide receiver Nate Jacquet one week after releasing him to make room for defensive end Stalin Colinet. The team also released linebacker Antonio Wilson. ... The New York Giants signed rookie linebacker Kole Ayi and waived safety Clarence LeBlanc.