DENVER -- Sprinting down the sideline, Jason Elam was
unprotected and unsuspecting.
The Denver Broncos' kicker absorbed a blind hit to his left
shoulder and went sailing through the air.
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As a result, one of the NFL's most consistent kickers over the
past seven seasons is expected to miss three to eight weeks after breaking
parts of two vertebrae in his lower back.
The Broncos signed Joe Nedney on Tuesday to replace Elam. Nedney won a kick-off against Michael Husted
and Jaret Holmes. Nedney received a one-year deal worth $440,000.
Also Tuesday, the Broncos signed running back Raymont Harris as insurance in their backfield, where injuries have been a problem.
Elam was chasing Atlanta's Darrick Vaughn along the sideline
during Sunday's 42-14 Denver victory when he was leveled by a
powerful block from Johndale Carty.
"They're sitting ducks, and most of the time, defenders are way
bigger," Broncos safety Billy Jenkins said. "They're coming 1,000
mph and kickers are sitting ducks. They're pretty vulnerable."
Elam trailed Vaughn by several yards when Carty hit him. Though
the block took Elam by surprise, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said
it was as legal as it was lethal.
"Anybody who's moving, they're going to knock you," he said.
"Usually they don't worry about kickers because they can't make
tackles, but it was a situation where a ballcarrier's cutting back
and he was in pursuit, so he gave him a shot. That's football."
When Elam was helped from the field, it appeared his right leg
might have been broken as it dangled limp behind him.
He was released from the hospital Monday.
Living up to the standard set by Elam could prove difficult for Nedney. Not only does Elam boast an
NFL record-tying 63-yard field goal, but Elam has scored more
points than any other kicker over the past seven seasons.
He was 5-for-5 in field goal attempts this year, including a
51-yarder that easily cleared the crossbar Sunday. About an hour
later, Elam was being taken to the locker room on a maintenance
cart.
Meanwhile, running back Olandis Gary had surgery Monday to
repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and
offensive lineman Trey Teague will follow him to the operating
table.
Teague tore his right ACL during a punt-coverage assignment
Sunday. He is the fifth Denver player in 14 months to tear an ACL.
Running back Terrell Davis, linebacker John Mobley and offensive
lineman Lennie Friedman each had season-ending ACL injuries last
year.
Davis, who missed the game against Atlanta with a sprained left
ankle, is expected to return to practice Wednesday.
Starting linebacker Al Wilson, who sat out Sunday's game with a
separated shoulder, also is expected back this week. He will have
to wear a special harness to prevent his shoulder from popping out
of joint.
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VIDEO
  Mike Shanahan says Jason Elam was injured on a clean hit. wav: 177 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 |
