Broncos’ Gardener Criticizes Shanahan

Denver Bronco defensive tackle Daryl Gardener lashed out at Coach Mike Shanahan on Friday, a day after being suspended for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears for conduct detrimental to the team.

Gardener said he doesn’t believe Shanahan wants him on the team and called the coach “that little man up there” on a Denver radio station.

“My future is at stake right now. And right now, the way it’s looking, this man doesn’t want me to be a Denver Bronco because he doesn’t even want me around the facility or around the players,” Gardener said.

Shanahan didn’t give specifics for the suspension. Gardener said he believes he was “set up” to overreact to an edited tape shown to players this week that depicted Gardener failing to hustle on several plays.

*

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison of the Indianapolis Colts might return for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills after sitting out last weekend’s game against the New York Jets because of a strained right hamstring.

Harrison, who has 56 receptions for 777 yards and seven touchdowns, practiced Friday for the first time since he injured his leg Nov. 9 against Jacksonville.

A final decision on whether he will play won’t be made until today, Colt Coach Tony Dungy said.

*

Miami Dolphin Coach Dave Wannstedt has decided on a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against Washington, but he won’t say if it’s Brian Griese or Jay Fiedler. Fiedler, who rejoined team drills this week, has been sidelined since spraining his left knee Oct. 19. The Dolphins are 2-2 with Griese as the starter.... Running back Adrian Murrell was cut by the Dallas Cowboys, less than a month after he signed with them. The Cowboys wanted to make room on the roster for free-agent linebacker Jamal Brooks, who played in 16 games for them in 2001, then was on injured reserve last season with a broken leg.