Jaguars Hope Brunell Can Return ‘At Some Point’

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ hopes of reaching the Super Bowl in their third season may have taken a big hit following a knee injury to quarterback Mark Brunell.

Brunell, who carried the Jaguars to the AFC title game in their second year, injured his right knee with 6:54 left in the first half of Saturday night’s 38-16 exhibition win over the New York Giants at East Rutherford, N.J.

An MRI test Sunday revealed damage to the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial collateral ligament - although the extent of the injury remains unclear.

Once the swelling goes down, Brunell will have an arthroscopic procedure at the end of the week at the earliest to further assess the injury.

“We remain hopeful that the damage is not too extensive to the ACL and Mark could return at some point,” coach Tom Coughlin said at a news conference in Jacksonville, Fla.

Coughlin refused to even guess how soon Brunell could return - or how serious the injury could be.

Brunell, who signed a five-year, $31.5 million contract two weeks ago, declined to comment. He was seen walking through the stadium with two crutches and a brace that covered his entire right leg.

Team doctor Stephen Lucie said reconstructive surgery could take place during the arthroscopic procedure, depending on the amount of damage. Like Coughlin, he refused to offer a best- or worst-case scenario.

Coughlin would not speculate what Jacksonville might do if Brunell is lost for the season. For now, the Jaguars turn to Rob Johnson, who has thrown all of seven passes in two seasons.

Panthers lose Collins

The jaw of the Carolina Panthers’ Pro Bowl quarterback Kerry Collins is broken in two places, and he is out for up to six weeks.

Collins underwent four hours of surgery Sunday at Carolinas Medical Center, where doctors inserted two plates to stabilize a fracture on the left side of his jaw and two more to stabilize a break at the front. Because surgeons used plates instead of wiring, Collins will be able to eat soft foods in several days.

He is expected to be sidelined five to six weeks, meaning he likely will miss the first three regular-season games.

The quarterback job goes to journeyman Steve Beuerlein, an 11-year veteran who was 3-1 as a starter after Collins went down with several injuries in 1996.

Elway could play

John Elway threw for the first time since rupturing his right biceps tendon a week ago and said it not only felt good, but “there’s probably a chance” he would play for the Broncos Sunday at New England.

Not wanting to push his comeback, he threw 50 to 60 passes to wide receiver Patrick Jeffers. Asked if he threw any of the balls at full velocity Elway said, “How about 76.289 percent?”

Dolphins 21, Bears 14

Dan Marino appeared ready for the regular season, while backup Craig Erickson rallied Miami to victory over visiting Chicago.

Chicago quarterback Rick Mirer, acquired from Seattle in the offseason, shook off a first-possession interception to lead the Bears on an 80-yard scoring drive. He completed nine of 12 passes for 69 yards with one TD and one interception in the first half.