Broncos lose rookie Torain

Running back could be out for 6-8 weeks

The joint practice between the Titans and Rams got a little too physical as the teams prepared for their exhibition opener Saturday in Nashville. (Bill Waugh/Associated Press)

Denver Broncos rookie running back Ryan Torain was carted off the practice field yesterday after suffering a broken bone in his elbow and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Torain, a fifth-round draft pick out of Arizona State, stayed down after being hit by linebackers Nate Webster and Jamie Winborn.

Torain has had a solid training camp and was expected to push No. 1 tailback Selvin Young for playing time.

Coach Mike Shanahan praised Torain, even comparing him to Broncos great Terrell Davis.

"It's a big loss. I thought he had a chance to compete to be the starting running back," Shanahan said. "He's one of the most gifted running backs I've been around for a long time. He is very similar to Terrell Davis when he came in.

"Obviously, he has a setback that he has to deal with. He has to take it day-by-day, as well, but any time you break a bone in that elbow area, obviously, it's a setback. I'm just hoping there is not too much ligament damage, but we will find out, obviously, after the MRI."

The bad news on Torain overshadowed fallout over the suspension of Brandon Marshall.

A day after the Broncos' talented but troubled wide receiver was suspended for three games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league's personal conduct code, Marshall sidestepped several questions about the matter, including whether he felt he needed counseling, which the league suggested. Marshall was arrested three times in a yearlong span beginning in March 2007. He's due in court next month for a drunken driving trial and has had two domestic disputes, one that was dismissed and another that has yet to produce a formal charge.

Marshall's lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, who successfully fought the NFL last year over Travis Henry's positive marijuana test, said Marshall didn't deserve to be suspended and that he will appeal the punishment.

Titans, Rams bang heads
Coaches and seasons can change. Tension whenever the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams get together doesn't.

These teams had some feisty joint practices back in 2000, months after St. Louis beat the Titans in the Super Bowl, and it didn't take long for tempers to flare up as they gathered yesterday in training camp in Nashville.

Former Patriots receiver Reche Caldwell, now with the Rams, grabbed Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan in a bear hug and took him to the ground.

St. Louis coach Scott Linehan was watching his defense with rookie end Chris Long going against the Tennessee offense and Vince Young when he heard some of the grumblings two fields over between his offense and the Titans defense.

"We've got to limit that," Linehan said. "We can't get to where we lose our cool out here. It's that time of year. Guys aren't in very good moods out here. We've just got to make sure we continue to get better. It's good to see us compete and those things. We'll get rid of the extracurricular stuff. It wasn't anything big, a couple of little ones."

That included Pro Bowl defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch skirmishing with Rams left tackle Adam Goldberg. After being blocked to the ground, Vanden Bosch took a big swing at Goldberg.

The coaches tried to calm things down. But on the next play, Titans end Sean Conover tangled with St. Louis tackle Mark LeVoir, with Vanden Bosch rushing in to help, without his helmet.

Giants ready to get started
The New York Giants open their exhibition season at Detroit tonight, but without several key players who figured in the 17-14 upset of the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Just whom Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning will throw to in his short stint remains to be seen. Plaxico Burress, who caught the winning touchdown, is out with an ankle injury. David Tyree, whose fingertip grab kept the winning drive alive, is on the physically unable to perform list after knee surgery. Amani Toomer will play but could be limited after missing practice Tuesday with swelling in his knee . . . Starting strong safety Donte Whitner will miss the Buffalo Bills' exhibition opener at Washington Saturday because of a sore left ankle. Whitner said tests on his ankle came back negative and he expects to return to practice next week.