Notebook: League penalizes Broncos for wearing wrong uniforms

DENVER — The NFL fined the Denver Broncos $25,000 for showing up in the wrong colored uniforms for a game against San Diego and fined wide receiver Rod Smith $20,000 for accidentally hitting an official.

The Broncos were penalized for wearing white uniforms Sept. 14 against San Diego, even though Denver had agreed beforehand to wear dark uniforms.

Home teams declare which uniform they will wear for each game before the season, and the Chargers had chosen white for that game. Now San Diego will choose which colored jersey they will wear when they play in Denver on Nov. 16.

"I knew we would be fined something," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said yesterday. "That's a little bit of a slap on the wrist. They knew it wasn't intentional or the fine would have been a lot more."

Smith was fined for striking umpire Undrey Wash during Monday night's 31-10 win over Oakland. Smith got tangled with Raiders defensive tackle Chris Cooper after a 6-yard reception and took a wild swing that struck Wash.

Leftwich likely to start

JACKSONVILLE — Jaguars rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich most likely will make his first NFL start tomorrow, with Mark Brunell downgraded to doubtful for the game against Houston.

Brunell injured his elbow in the first quarter last weekend against Indianapolis and needed five stitches after the game. He has not practiced this week.

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio wasn't available yesterday but told a national radio audience it is "very unlikely" Brunell will start.

"I'm ready to go," Leftwich said following a short team workout yesterday. The 6-foot-5 rookie from Marshall has taken most of the snaps in practice this week, with No. 3 QB David Garrard getting the rest.

Leftwich has seen limited time in the Jaguars' last two games. But he has impressive numbers, connecting on 11 of 13 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

Vikings' Culpepper may play

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Daunte Culpepper was upgraded to questionable by Minnesota, meaning there's a 50 percent chance the injured quarterback will play against San Francisco. Culpepper and coach Mike Tice said it will be a game-time decision.

"I feel good — and I'm always getting better," Culpepper said as he left practice.

Culpepper, who leads the league with a passer rating of 108.0, has three small broken bones in his left lower back and a fourth that's partially broken. He practiced yesterday for the first time this week, splitting time with Gus Frerotte on the first team.

Wide receiver Randy Moss, who has back spasms, also practiced yesterday for the first time this week. He was upgraded to probable and will play tomorrow.

Notes

• Scott Shanle, St. Louis Rams rookie LB, was suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

• Buffalo RB Travis Henry might be unable to play tomorrow against Philadelphia because of torn rib cartilage. He is listed as questionable and did not practice this week.

• Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard is expected to play tomorrow after spending Thursday night in a hospital.

Neither Pollard nor Colts coach Tony Dungy would give any details yesterday. Pollard watched practice and said he expected to take part in today's workout.

Colts RB Edgerrin James remained doubtful, missing practice again with a back injury. He has missed all four days this week after hurting his back last week against Jacksonville.

Dungy said he wouldn't decide on James until tomorrow, but was pessimistic. He also said DE Dwight Freeney (ankle and lower back) would be a game-time decision.