Steelers LB Porter shot outside Denver bar

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter was wounded when he wasamong six people shot early Sunday outside a Denver bar after theColorado-Colorado State football game.

Porter, 26, was in serious condition after being shot in thebuttocks, but the injury wasn't life-threatening, police spokesmanSonny Jackson said. One of the victims died, Jackson said.

Porter, an All-Pro who played at Colorado State, was not involvedin any confrontation.

"He was an innocent bystander," Jackson said. There was noconfrontation or altercation that we know of at this time."

Jackson said the shots were fired from outside a fenced-in parkinglot where the victims were standing just before 2 a.m. The dead manwas identified as 28-year-old Christopher Wilford.

James Greer, the manager of the All Sports Bar & Grill, saideveryone had left the bar at the time of the shooting.

"Joey had been to the game and came down here to patronize ourbusiness," Greer said. This is very sad. I hope it doesn't interferewith his playing."

Steelers coach Bill Cowher said the team wouldn't put Porter oninjured reserve, a move that would sideline him for the season.

"The bullet entered his left buttocks and is lodged in his rightthigh," Cowher said. "All the preliminary tests are being done. Atthis time, it looks as though the bullet did not hit any vitalorgans. He is resting comfortably, and we are in the process of ...trying to fly him back [to Pittsburgh today]."

Cowher talked with Porter and said he was upset about getting hurtwith the season set to start.

"He's as well as can be expected," Cowher said. He feels like he'slet the football team down. He was really emotional."

Clark Haggans, who played as a rush end in the Steelers' dimedefense last season, likely will start the regular-season openerSunday against the Baltimore Ravens in Porter's place.

LIONS DEAL FOR RB GARY: The Buffalo Bills traded running backOlandis Gary to the Detroit Lions for an undisclosed future draftpick.

The move made sense for both teams because the Bills areanticipating the midseason return of injured rookie Willis McGaheeand are well-stocked at the position behind projected starter TravisHenry.

The Lions, meanwhile, were in desperate need at running back.James Stewart, who has led the Lions in rushing the last threeseasons, will miss six weeks after dislocating his right shoulder inthe preseason finale Thursday.

"We don't know how long James will be out, so we felt to shore upthat situation, adding a back like Olandis Gary gives us a bit of asecurity blanket," Lions coach Steve Mariucci said.

Gary, who signed with the Bills as a free agent in the spring,spent his first four years with the Denver Broncos. Playing behindClinton Portis last season, he rushed for only 147 yards in 13 games.His best season came as a rookie, when he had 1,159 yards rushing andseven touchdowns.

Gary was expected to get limited playing time with the Billsbecause Henry is coming off a breakout season in which he finishedfifth in the league with 1,438 yards rushing.

The Bills also drafted McGahee with their first-round pick.McGahee, who is recovering after tearing three ligaments in his leftknee during the Fiesta Bowl in January, was put on the reserve/non-football injury list. He can be activated after the sixth week of theregular season.

The Lions had no proven backup for Stewart. Their choices werelimited to Shawn Bryson, who's coming off knee surgery; Autry Denson,a four-year journeyman; and Avon Cobourne, an undrafted free agent.

CUTDOWN DAY: Among the bigger names who were cut as teams reducedtheir rosters to the 53-man limit were quarterbacks Neil O'Donnell bythe Tennessee Titans, Jarious Jackson by the Broncos and TimHasselbeck by the Philadelphia Eagles, running backs Robert Edwardsby the Miami Dolphins, Ki-Jana Carter by the New Orleans Saints,Adrian Murrell by the Dallas Cowboys and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala bythe Steelers, receivers Troy Edwards by the St. Louis Rams and DedricWard by the New York Jets, tight end Rickey Dudley by the Tampa BayBuccaneers, center Frank Winters by the Green Bay Packers anddefensive lineman Jim Flanigan by the San Francisco 49ers.

INJURIES: Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shawn Springs will misseight weeks with a broken bone in his shoulder suffered in acollision with Broncos running back Mike Anderson during a preseasongame Friday.

*The Houston Texans put rookie tight end Bennie Joppru on injuredreserve, which means he will miss the season. Joppru had surgeryWednesday to correct a pelvic hernia that had troubled him throughoutcamp.

*The Buccaneers put former Bears quarterback Jim Miller on thereserve/physically-unable-to-perform list because he still isrecovering from offseason surgery on his right shoulder. He will missat least six weeks.

COLTS-RAMS SWAP: The Indianapolis Colts traded safety Rich Coadyto the Rams for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. The Ramsneeded help at safety after losing Jason Sehorn (broken left foot)and Kim Herring (broken left arm) to injuries.

Sun-Times wires

Steelers LB Porter shot outside Denver bar

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter was wounded when he wasamong six people shot early Sunday outside a Denver bar after theColorado-Colorado State football game.

Porter, 26, was in serious condition after being shot in thebuttocks, but the injury wasn't life-threatening, police spokesmanSonny Jackson said. One of the victims died, Jackson said.

Porter, an All-Pro who played at Colorado State, was not involvedin any confrontation.

"He was an innocent bystander," Jackson said. There was noconfrontation or altercation that we know of at this time."

Jackson said the shots were fired from outside a fenced-in parkinglot where the victims were standing just before 2 a.m. The dead manwas identified as 28-year-old Christopher Wilford.

James Greer, the manager of the All Sports Bar & Grill, saideveryone had left the bar at the time of the shooting.

"Joey had been to the game and came down here to patronize ourbusiness," Greer said. This is very sad. I hope it doesn't interferewith his playing."

Steelers coach Bill Cowher said the team wouldn't put Porter oninjured reserve, a move that would sideline him for the season.

"The bullet entered his left buttocks and is lodged in his rightthigh," Cowher said. "All the preliminary tests are being done. Atthis time, it looks as though the bullet did not hit any vitalorgans. He is resting comfortably, and we are in the process of ...trying to fly him back [to Pittsburgh today]."

Cowher talked with Porter and said he was upset about getting hurtwith the season set to start.

"He's as well as can be expected," Cowher said. He feels like he'slet the football team down. He was really emotional."

Clark Haggans, who played as a rush end in the Steelers' dimedefense last season, likely will start the regular-season openerSunday against the Baltimore Ravens in Porter's place.

LIONS DEAL FOR RB GARY: The Buffalo Bills traded running backOlandis Gary to the Detroit Lions for an undisclosed future draftpick.

The move made sense for both teams because the Bills areanticipating the midseason return of injured rookie Willis McGaheeand are well-stocked at the position behind projected starter TravisHenry.

The Lions, meanwhile, were in desperate need at running back.James Stewart, who has led the Lions in rushing the last threeseasons, will miss six weeks after dislocating his right shoulder inthe preseason finale Thursday.

"We don't know how long James will be out, so we felt to shore upthat situation, adding a back like Olandis Gary gives us a bit of asecurity blanket," Lions coach Steve Mariucci said.

Gary, who signed with the Bills as a free agent in the spring,spent his first four years with the Denver Broncos. Playing behindClinton Portis last season, he rushed for only 147 yards in 13 games.His best season came as a rookie, when he had 1,159 yards rushing andseven touchdowns.

Gary was expected to get limited playing time with the Billsbecause Henry is coming off a breakout season in which he finishedfifth in the league with 1,438 yards rushing.

The Bills also drafted McGahee with their first-round pick.McGahee, who is recovering after tearing three ligaments in his leftknee during the Fiesta Bowl in January, was put on the reserve/non-football injury list. He can be activated after the sixth week of theregular season.

The Lions had no proven backup for Stewart. Their choices werelimited to Shawn Bryson, who's coming off knee surgery; Autry Denson,a four-year journeyman; and Avon Cobourne, an undrafted free agent.

CUTDOWN DAY: Among the bigger names who were cut as teams reducedtheir rosters to the 53-man limit were quarterbacks Neil O'Donnell bythe Tennessee Titans, Jarious Jackson by the Broncos and TimHasselbeck by the Philadelphia Eagles, running backs Robert Edwardsby the Miami Dolphins, Ki-Jana Carter by the New Orleans Saints,Adrian Murrell by the Dallas Cowboys and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala bythe Steelers, receivers Troy Edwards by the St. Louis Rams and DedricWard by the New York Jets, tight end Rickey Dudley by the Tampa BayBuccaneers, center Frank Winters by the Green Bay Packers anddefensive lineman Jim Flanigan by the San Francisco 49ers.

INJURIES: Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shawn Springs will misseight weeks with a broken bone in his shoulder suffered in acollision with Broncos running back Mike Anderson during a preseasongame Friday.

*The Houston Texans put rookie tight end Bennie Joppru on injuredreserve, which means he will miss the season. Joppru had surgeryWednesday to correct a pelvic hernia that had troubled him throughoutcamp.

*The Buccaneers put former Bears quarterback Jim Miller on thereserve/physically-unable-to-perform list because he still isrecovering from offseason surgery on his right shoulder. He will missat least six weeks.

COLTS-RAMS SWAP: The Indianapolis Colts traded safety Rich Coadyto the Rams for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. The Ramsneeded help at safety after losing Jason Sehorn (broken left foot)and Kim Herring (broken left arm) to injuries.

Sun-Times wires