McNair’s Court Case to Proceed

A judge in Nashville ruled Tuesday that there was sufficient evidence for the case of drunken driving and weapons charges against quarterback Steve McNair of the Tennessee Titans to move forward. The grand jury could convene in four to five weeks, according to the district attorney’s office.

McNair, the NFL’s top-rated quarterback, left with his lawyer after the hearing and did not talk to reporters.

McNair was pulled over by police while driving a sport utility vehicle in Nashville just after midnight May 22. According to police, McNair’s eyes were bloodshot, his breath smelled of alcohol and he acknowledged drinking.

Police said McNair’s blood-alcohol level was 0.18 -- well above Tennessee’s limit of 0.10 at the time. The level dropped to 0.08 in July.

The weapon charge involves a 9-millimeter handgun found in the SUV. McNair has a permit for the handgun, but in Tennessee an intoxicated person may not legally carry a loaded weapon.

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Rich Gannon had tests on his injured right shoulder, and Oakland Coach Bill Callahan would not guarantee the quarterback’s starting job until the results were known.

Gannon, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and last season’s league most valuable player, was pounded by Kansas throughout the first half of the Raiders’ 17-10 loss to the Chiefs on Monday night.

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Denver put quarterback Steve Beuerlein on injured reserve, a move that could mark the end of his 17-year career.

Beuerlein, who became the starter after Jake Plummer broke a foot, fractured the pinkie finger on his throwing hand in the third quarter of the Broncos’ 28-20 loss to Minnesota on Sunday.

The injury was expected to keep him out up to six weeks, but the Broncos decided to shut down Beuerlein for the season so they could use the roster spot. Neither Beuerlein nor team officials were available for comment.

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Tampa Bay cornerback Brian Kelly was put on injured reserve because of a torn chest muscle that will require season-ending surgery.

Kelly suffered the injury in the Buccaneers’ 38-35 loss to Indianapolis on Oct. 6.

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Jerome Bettis will make his first start of the season Sunday against St. Louis as Pittsburgh tries to jump-start its struggling running game.... The New York Giants put guard Rich Seubert on injured reserve. Seubert had surgery Monday for leg and ankle fractures suffered Sunday against Philadelphia.... Former Washington offensive line coach Joe Bugel rejoined the Redskins as an offensive consultant.... Indianapolis President Bill Polian signed a five-year contract extension that will keep him with the Colts into 2009.... Atlanta owner Arthur Blank took out a full-page ad in the sports section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday and appealed to fans for their patience after the Falcons’ 1-6 start.