Broncos’ Carswell Is Hurt Badly in Crash

Denver Bronco offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell was in critical but stable condition with an excellent prognosis Thursday after he was involved in an accident in Aurora, Colo., that ripped the driver’s-side door off his car while he was on his way to team headquarters.

Carswell, 33, fractured multiple ribs, ruptured his diaphragm and spleen and suffered internal injuries and was in intensive care at a suburban Denver hospital after a five-hour operation to remove his spleen and repair internal organ damage.

Coach Mike Shanahan said the operation “went as well as it could possibly go” but dismissed any thought of Carswell playing again any time soon.

Officer Tony Guzman said Carswell was in one of three cars traveling south on an eight-lane thoroughfare when two northbound cars collided and veered into the southbound lanes.

“In no shape or form was [Carswell] the one that caused the accident,” Guzman said.

At least one other person was injured.

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New Orleans Saint linebacker Courtney Watson was charged with drunk driving in San Antonio after being pulled over because police said he was driving erratically.

Watson, 25, was “combative” and failed a field sobriety test, but refused a breathalyzer sample, the police report said.

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Disappointed with his lackluster statistics and frustrated over his unresolved contract talks with Baltimore, running back Jamal Lewis acknowledged that he is tired of being blamed for the Ravens’ offensive problems.

“You want to go out and you want to play hard,” he said. “[But] you want to be careful for your own health because this is the last year on my deal.”

Lewis has been limited to 326 yards and is averaging 2.9 yards a carry.

“”Everybody has to play their part,” he said.

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Cornerback Tyrone Poole was put on injured reserve by New England, leaving a roster vacancy for Sunday’s game against Buffalo that could be filled by linebacker Tedy Bruschi, trying to return eight months after a suffering stroke.