Notes: Chandler's injury starts family feud in Atlanta

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons Coach Dan Reeves tried to smooth things over yesterday among players whose relatives argued in the stands during the team's 24-10 loss to the visiting New England Patriots on Sunday.

Reeves declined to say who was involved, but some who were there said that Diane Chandler, the wife of quarterback Chris Chandler, confronted people in the family section who cheered when her husband was injured. They were excited because they wanted top draft pick Michael Vick to play.

An argument ensued and someone threw a can at her. Fullback Bob Christian said his father, Jim, caught the can and argued with those cheering, including relatives of receiver Shawn Jefferson.

Bob Christian said he and Jefferson apologized to each other.

Jefferson burst into the locker room yesterday and threatened reporters if they tried to contact his wife.

"Don't call my wife. Understand me? Anybody!" Jefferson shouted.

Diane Chandler said she was disappointed by some comments from family members of her husband's teammates.

"You just don't root for people to get hurt," she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"That's the bottom line."

Chris Chandler, an Everett High School graduate, played college ball at Washington. He was sacked six times Sunday before leaving at the end of the third quarter with sore ribs.

Notes

• Wide receiver Terry Glenn of the New England Patriots was cleared to sue the league on his complaint that the NFL failed to consider his chronic depression when he was suspended four games for violating its substance-abuse policy.

• Miami Dolphins safety Brian Walker and defensive tackle Jermaine Haley had surgery to insert screws into their broken right thumbs. Both are expected to miss two games.

• Jacksonville Jaguars safety Ainsley Battles had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

• Punter Rodney Williams of the New York Giants is expected to be out from two to three weeks after breaking his right wrist.

• The Baltimore Ravens expect to start quarterback Elvis Grbac against Tennessee on Monday. Grbac suffered bruised ribs on Oct. 21. The Ravens were 2-0 with Randall Cunningham playing quarterback.

• Ryan Leaf, a former Washington State standout, is getting another chance as an NFL starter. Dallas Coach Dave Campo said Leaf would be the Cowboys' quarterback on Sunday in Atlanta.

• Receiver-punt returner Tim Dwight of the San Diego Chargers suffered a collapsed lung in Sunday's loss to Kansas City Chiefs and was hospitalized. He isn't expected to play Sunday in Denver.

Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie, who suffered a concussion, expects to play in Denver.

• A felony drug charge against ex-Dallas receiver Michael Irvin was dismissed in Denton, Texas, because prosecutors said an officer conducted a search without a warrant.