Browns’ Holcomb Has Broken Leg

Kelly Holcomb may have saved the Cleveland Browns’ season on Sunday at the expense of a portion of his own.

The Cleveland quarterback broke a bone in his right leg during the first quarter but refused to come out, rallying the Browns to a stunning 13-12 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Wincing in pain and hobbling, Holcomb completed 12 of 14 passes on a 91-yard scoring drive in the final minutes, throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Andre Davis with 29 seconds left to give the Browns (1-2) their first win.

X-rays taken during halftime and again Monday revealed that Holcomb has a hairline fracture of his fibula, the smaller bone located on the outside of the leg.

Holcomb could sit out a few games, but Coach Butch Davis hasn’t ruled him out of practice this week or playing Sunday against Cincinnati.

Davis dismissed a radio report that Holcomb will be out four to six weeks.

“He played the whole game yesterday on it,” Davis said.

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Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper broke three small bones on the left side of his spine during the Vikings’ 23-13 win over Detroit on Sunday. The injury has left him listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against San Francisco.

Culpepper was hurt late in the second quarter when Lion linebacker Wali Rainer hit him in the end zone on Culpepper’s second rushing touchdown of the game.

Culpepper was in too much pain to return and watched the second half from the sideline. However, the 6-foot-4, 264-pounder said he is a fast healer and expects to play Sunday.

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San Francisco Coach Dennis Erickson downplayed Terrell Owens’ critique of the 49er offense after Sunday’s loss.

“You know T.O.,” Erickson said. “He becomes very emotional. That’s the way he is. I have learned to deal with that. I don’t think he meant anything personal with it.... He voiced his opinion, and now we must go on.”

San Francisco’s All-Pro receiver criticized the coaching staff for not calling his number enough on offense in a postgame rant after catching eight passes for 90 yards against the Browns.

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The lawyer and mother of suspended Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett met with two NFL executives in Washington to discuss the player’s desire to be eligible for the 2004 draft. Representing the NFL were Jeff Pash, the league’s top lawyer, and Harold Henderson, chairman of the NFL Management Council.

An NFL spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s meeting.

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Detroit cornerback Andre Goodman is expected to sit out the rest of the season because of a dislocated left shoulder.... Buffalo running back Sammy Morris will sit out at least two weeks after surgery for a hernia.... New York Jet end John Abraham is questionable for Sunday’s game against Dallas because of a sore hamstring.