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Broncos' Punter Sauerbrun Facing An Assault Charge

Published: Dec 11, 2007

ENGLEWOOD, COLO. - Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun faces an assault charge for an incident outside a restaurant, a case that could bring more discipline from the NFL.

Sauerbrun, the fourth-leading punter in the NFL, was suspended for the first month of last season after using a banned dietary supplement. Upon his reinstatement, the Broncos and Sauerbrun split ways and he signed with New England.

Denver police said Sauerbrun was cited for simple assault early Saturday. He will have to appear in Denver County Court.

Sauerbrun attended the Broncos' special teams workout Monday in preparation for Denver's game at Houston on Thursday night, but he wasn't around afterward when reporters had locker room access.

Low Hits On Favre By Burgess Irk Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Packers coach Mike McCarthy called a hit that Raiders defensive end Derrick Burgess made on Brett Favre low and unnecessary.

Favre, making his 250th consecutive start, got hit twice by Burgess, once on a play before the 2-minute warning that left Favre limping in Green Bay's 38-7 victory against Oakland on Sunday to clinch the NFC North.

Favre fell from the contact, which caused his legs to stiffen from the shot to the shin. McCarthy wasn't as upset on that play as the one later in the second half, when Burgess caught Favre around the lower part of the knee.

"The [first] he was in contact with the tackle and then was pushed a little, but the other one he went low on him," McCarthy said. "It was clearly evident. It was unnecessary."

Neither hit drew a penalty.

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said Burgess slipped.

BEARS: Kyle Orton, who started 15 games as a rookie in 2005, returned to the role ahead of veteran Brian Griese. Orton, who hasn't played since the season finale two years ago, will start next Monday night's game at Minnesota.

BILLS: Safety George Wilson will miss the rest of the regular season with two broken ribs, but the team has no immediate plans to place him on injured reserve.

CHARGERS: Star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman will miss San Diego's home game against Detroit because of a sprained ligament in his left knee that knocked him out of Sunday's game at Tennessee.

COLTS: By winning just one of its final three regular-season games, Indianapolis will become the first team in league history with five straight 12-win seasons. Only one other team, the Dallas Cowboys from 1992 to 1995, won 12 times in four straight years.

RAMS: Coach Scott Linehan won't lose his job because of St. Louis' 3-10 record. Linehan said he received a vote of confidence from team president John Shaw a few days before Sunday's 19-10 loss at Cincinnati, and on Monday said he was looking forward to an end-of-season meeting in early January.

BIG RATINGS: The Patriots continue to draw big TV ratings. On Sunday, they faced the Steelers, considered a team that could derail their march toward an undefeated record. The 4:15 game on CBS earned an 18.4 overnight rating and a 33 share in the nation's 55 largest markets.