Season finished for Dunn
Warrick Dunn's season ended yesterday when the Atlanta Falcons placed their leading rusher on injured reserve with a torn ligament in his left foot. Dunn had to be carried off the field early in the fourth quarter of the Falcons' 38-31 loss to Tennessee Sunday. Coach Dan Reeves said Monday that Dunn initially got hurt during his 162-yard rushing effort in a 23-20 overtime loss at New Orleans the previous week. T.J. Duckett will replace Dunn as the starter.
Dunn has never been placed on injured reserve in his seven-year career. His injury is similar to what Atlanta linebacker Keith Brooking endured three years ago -- a ligament tear at the base of his toes. It's not known if Dunn will need surgery.
Dunn, in the second season of a six-year, $28.5 million contract, had 672 yards rushing, 336 yards receiving, and scored five touchdowns in 11 games this year.
Gardener punished
The Denver Broncos suspended Daryl Gardener for two more games after he lashed out publicly at coach Mike Shanahan for an earlier one-game suspension. The original suspension was for unspecified conduct detrimental to the team. Gardener responded by telling a Denver radio station last week that he didn't believe Shanahan wants him on the team and called the coach "that little man up there." Those comments violated a clause in every NFL contract requiring players to give their best efforts and loyalty to their team, the Broncos said. The new suspension means Gardener, a defensive tackle, will miss the Nov. 30 game at Oakland and the Dec. 7 home game against Kansas City . . . Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio will stick with Byron Leftwich as his starting quarterback. Del Rio said Monday he was considering benching his first-round draft pick in favor of David Garrard. But after studying films yesterday of Jacksonville's 13-10 loss to the New York Jets, he chose not to make a change . . . Bears quarterback Chris Chandler is day to day with a sprained right shoulder. Chandler was hurt against the Denver Broncos Sunday and did not play in the second half. Kordell Stewart led the Bears to a 19-10 victory . . . The Minnesota Vikings released running back Doug Chapman and claimed rookie tight end Richard Angulo on waivers from the St. Louis Rams . . . Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey is expected back in the lineup this weekend after missing two games with a sprained left knee . . . Dolphins receivers Sam Simmons and J.R. Tolver were put on the injured reserve list and defensive end David Bowens was activated.
