League Looking at Shanahan

The NFL is investigating whether Denver Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan broke a rule when he lied about quarterback Jake Plummer’s injury in a victory at San Diego.

The Broncos initially said Plummer sustained a concussion in the second quarter of Sunday’s 37-13 win over the Chargers. After the game, Shanahan announced his quarterback had a separated right shoulder.

He said he lied because the Chargers would have had an advantage if backup Steve Beuerlein got hurt and Plummer had to re-enter the game. Denver carries only two quarterbacks.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league expects injury information to be as accurate as possible.

Rules for reporting in-game injuries aren’t as specific as pregame injuries, which require a designation -- out, doubtful, questionable and probable. Shanahan could be fined if the league determines a rule was broken.

Tests Monday showed no ligament damage in Plummer’s shoulder.

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Marc Bulger was named starting quarterback of the St. Louis Rams. Coach Mike Martz made his choice a day after Bulger’s strong play in the second half of the Rams’ 27-24 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

“Marc Bulger will be our quarterback this week,” Martz said. “Where that goes, who knows? How long that is, let’s not worry about it.”

Martz’s decision apparently had nothing to do with Kurt Warner’s health.

Warner sustained a concussion in the first half of the opening 23-13 loss to the New York Giants, but has not missed any practices.

“What I based this decision on was a lot of things, and those are things I’ll keep to myself,” Martz said. “I think it’s better left that way.”

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Jacksonville Jaguar linebacker Keith Mitchell was released from the hospital one day after being taken from the field on a stretcher because of a neck injury. Tests showed no broken bones.

Mitchell’s status for the rest of the season will be determined later. Punt returner Jermaine Lewis was lost for the year because of a torn ligament in his left knee.

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Defensive back Rod Woodson still can’t run on his repaired left knee, so it’s unlikely he’d be ready for the Oakland Raiders’ game at Denver next Monday night.... The Green Bay Packers signed defensive back Michael Hawthorne, waived last week by the New Orleans Saints.... Houston Texan nose tackle Seth Payne will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee in a loss to New Orleans.