ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Elbow problems shelved veteran quarterback Steve Beuerlein for the rest of the 2001 season Friday when the Denver Broncos placed him on injured reserve.
The Broncos surprisingly signed Beuerlein in the off-season as insurance since starter Brian Griese was coming off shoulder surgery, although backup Gus Frerotte had already re-signed with Denver. But Beuerlein has been slow to heal from an offseason elbow injury and did not even play in the preseason.
The insurance policy was not needed anyway since Griese has shown no ill effects from the surgery and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month.
The Broncos signed tight end Matt Dominguez to replace Beuerlein on the roster and added tight end Austin Wheatley to the practice.
The 36-year-old Beuerlein was the Carolina Panthers' starter last season and threw for 3,730 yards and 19 touchdowns with 18 interceptions. Beuerlein has played in 134 career games, starting 97, for the Los Angeles Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Panthers. He played behind Troy Aikman and won a Super Bowl ring with Dallas in 1992.
