NFL Notes: Roethlisberger is in fair condition

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, injured Monday in a motorcycle accident, could be discharged from the hospital in three to five days.

Larry Jones, chief of trauma at Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital, spoke about Roethlisberger on Tuesday and said there would be an update today.

Jones said Roethlisberger's condition had been upgraded from serious to fair. He said the 24-year-old's injuries included fractures of the upper and lower jaw, nose and face; a mild concussion; multiple head lacerations, abrasions and bruises; and two lost teeth, with several others chipped. He also said there were "no major structural injuries" to Roethlisberger's knees.

A CT scan, Jones said, showed Roethlisberger's brain is "functioning normally." He said he would not take questions, at the request of the quarterback's family.

Roethlisberger was thrown from his motorcycle and into the windshield of a car that reportedly turned in front of him Monday morning in downtown Pittsburgh. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. He had seven hours of surgery that day.

Neither Roethlisberger nor the driver of the car, identified as Martha Fleishman, 62, of Pittsburgh, has been cited in the crash, at least until an investigation is completed, according to Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Tammy Ewin.

Of the accident, Martin Fleishman, Martha's husband, said, "She really feels terrible about the whole thing, and we certainly wish him a speedy recovery."

Steelers officials have not announced when Roethlisberger might be able to practice or play. The defending Super Bowl champions begin the regular season Sept. 7 at home against the Miami Dolphins.

KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh reported Roethlisberger does not have a valid Pennsylvania motorcycle license and that his temporary permit expired in March, though he has a valid automobile driver's license.

Notes

• Deion Branch skipped the first day of New England's mandatory minicamp because of a contract dispute, leaving the Patriots without their leading wide receiver. Branch, 26, was voted the most valuable player of the 2005 Super Bowl.

Branch, who wants a contract extension, is entering the final season of a five-year deal.

• Kansas City has agreed to a two-year contract with offensive tackle Kyle Turley, 30, who has missed the past two seasons because of a back injury.

The Chiefs signed defensive lineman James Reed to a one-year contract. Reed, 29, previously played for the New York Jets.

• Indianapolis linebacker Cato June, 26, was arrested for failing to appear in court on a driving-while-suspended charge. June, who was selected as a Pro Bowl starter last season, was released from the Boone County (Ind.) Jail on $500 bond.

• Linebacker Rocky McIntosh, Washington's top pick in this year's draft, is scheduled to have minor knee surgery today and will miss this weekend's minicamp. McIntosh, from Miami, was the 35th player drafted.