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Injury makes Marino questionable against Jets

 
Published Nov. 4, 1997|Updated Oct. 2, 2005

The Miami Dolphins consider Dan Marino's status a question mark for Sunday's game against the New York Jets, but the NFL's career passing leader says he wants to play.

Marino left the Dolphins' 9-6 loss to the Bills on Sunday with a sprained left ankle early in the third quarter. But he says he will be ready.

"I want to play," Marino said Monday of the Jets game, the ankle heavily taped and connected to an electronic device to stimulate blood flow. "And from what the doctors say, with some treatment I should be fine."

Marino is "questionable," coach Jimmy Johnson said. "Dan Marino is our starting quarterback," he said. "If he's healthy and able to play, he will remain our starting quarterback."

The competitive health of the Dolphins, who sputter into the game against the AFC East-leading Jets (6-3) after losing two straight, is another question.

The offense had trouble moving the ball on a rainy afternoon in Buffalo in which the Dolphins were held without a TD for the first game since early last season.

DOUBTS FOR HUMPHRIES: Admittedly scared about his future after sustaining his second concussion in 18 days, Chargers quarterback Stan Humphries visited specialists and had an MRI exam.

The Chargers are preparing as if they will not have Humphries for Sunday's home game against Seattle, and Humphries isn't sure when _ or even if _ he'll play again.

"When stuff happens like this, it gets frightening, especially when you have family and kids at home," Humphries said.

The 32-year-old Humphries has had three concussions in the past 11 months and four in just more than 22 months.

His latest concussion came in the third quarter of Sunday's loss at Cincinnati. His head was slammed onto the turf on a late hit by rookie linebacker Reinard Wilson.

SAINTS CHANGE QB AGAIN: Heath Shuler will return as the starting quarterback, replacing former UF standout Danny Wuerffel. Doug Nussmeier will back up Shuler and Wuerffel, who started the past two games, will be No. 3, coach Mike Ditka said.

"The nice-guy thing is crazy," Ditka said. "You've got to win. I didn't make that whole image about the quarterback and their psyche and you can't take them out of games. These guys have all survived it.

"I think this gives us the best opportunity (to win). I think Danny has played his best football coming off the bench."

BENGALS: S Tremain Mack is in an undisclosed treatment center having his drinking problem assessed.

REDSKINS: DT Sean Gilbert refused an invitation to meet with the team before today's signing deadline, a move that could keep him out the rest of the season.

NFL TRIAL: A federal judge tossed out two-thirds of St. Louis' $130-million antitrust lawsuit against the NFL and said she has "severe misgivings" about the rest of the case.

EWBANK HOSPITALIZED: Former Baltimore Colts and New York Jets coach Weeb Ewbank was hospitalized for a heart-related condition in Oxford, Ohio. The 90-year-old Ewbank waslisted in good condition.