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Tuesday, September 12, 2000
DENVER -- Sprinting down the sideline, Jason Elam was unprotected and unsuspecting. Back injury sidelines
kicker ElamAssociated Press
The Denver Broncos' kicker absorbed a blind hit to his left shoulder and went sailing through the air.
As a result, one of the NFL's most consistent kickers over the past seven seasons is expected to miss 3-8 weeks after breaking parts of two vertebrae in his lower back.
Denver planned to hold tryouts for a replacement today.
Elam, who played at the University of Hawaii, 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.
Though the block took Elam by surprise, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said it was as legal as it was lethal.
Replacing Elam could prove difficult. Not only does he boast an NFL record-tying 63-yard field goal, but Elam has scored more points than any other kicker over the past seven seasons.
