NFL notebook: Broncos' Carswell hurt in 5-car crash

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

The 12-year veteran, known by his teammates as "House," fractured multiple ribs, ruptured his diaphragm and spleen and sustained internal injuries.

He 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.

"He won't return this season," Shanahan said. "It is very serious, what he went through. Now, it's worrying about recovery and hopefully, not having a lot of pain."

Shanahan and trainer Steve Antonopulos addressed the team about Carswell's situation in meetings not long after the morning accident. After the team warmed up at the start of practice, the players broke their huddle by shouting, "House!"

"You just pray for the best. That's all you can do now," offensive lineman George Foster said.

Officer Tony Guzman said Carswell was in one of three cars traveling south on a busy, eight-lane thoroughfare that passes close to Broncos headquarters in suburban Denver — when two northbound cars collided and veered into the southbound lanes. Several cars were extensively damaged.

Police said a summons was issued to 22-year-old Marquita Brister for careless driving. Brister caused the accident by making an abrupt lane change, police believe.

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

Both doors and much of the front and rear fenders on the driver's side of Carswell's car, a 1994 Chevrolet sedan, were torn off and crumpled.

The 33-year-old Carswell played tight end during his first 11 seasons, all in Denver. This year, he was moved to the offensive line.

Judge: Bucs must stop patdowns

TAMPA, Fla. — A judge sided with a high-school civics teacher who sued to stop security "pat-downs" at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a lawsuit Oct. 13 on behalf of Bucs season ticket-holder Gordon Johnston. It sought to stop Raymond James Stadium officials from conducting the "suspicionless" searches that began last month after the NFL implemented enhanced security at stadiums throughout the league.

Circuit Judge Perry Little agreed with Johnston, issuing a temporary injunction stopping the searches until the lawsuit is resolved. The next Bucs home game is Nov. 6.

The NFL said in a statement it was "disappointed" by the decision, but hadn't had a chance to review the court's opinion.

Saints LB arrested on DWI charge

SAN ANTONIO — Courtney Watson, New Orleans Saints linebacker, was charged with drunken driving, but is expected to play Sunday.

Police said the 25-year-old Watson was driving on Interstate 10 when he was pulled over early Wednesday for erratic driving. They said an open bottle of beer was found in the front cup holder of the car.

He was "combative" and failed a field sobriety test, but refused a breathalyzer sample, the police report said. Watson was released on $1,000 bond pending arraignment Dec. 5.

Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said the team's security department was investigating, and coach Jim Haslett said Watson would play Sunday against Miami.

Notes

• Brian Diesbourg, a soccer fan and player who had never kicked a football, booted a 50-yard field goal worth $1 million at halftime of a CFL game between the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The 25-year-old mechanical engineer won the shot at a million as the winner of a league promotion.

• Jacksonville Jaguars LB Mike Peterson lost two classic cars in a garage fire that caused about $500,000 in damage this week.

• Ken Dorsey, San Francisco's No. 3 quarterback eight days ago, will start for the 49ers against Tampa Bay in place of injured rookie Alex Smith on Sunday.

• CB Tyrone Poole was placed on injured reserve by New England, leaving a roster vacancy for Sunday's game that could be filled by LB Tedy Bruschi. Bruschi began practicing last week, eight months after suffering a mild stroke.

• Atlanta Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall lost his endorsement deal with Reebok after wearing cleats with the Nike swoosh during night game.

• The principal of a Newark, Del., public high school apologized to parents for allowing a Christian-themed assembly that featured two Philadelphia Eagles players, saying he was misled about what the presentation would cover.

Principal Emmanuel Caulk of Newark High School wrote in a letter that he expected the talk by players Tra Thomas and Thomas Tapeh to focus on "values, choices and challenges that adolescents face in today's society."