Rebutting Sauerbrun

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan on Wednesday offered his side of punter Todd Sauerbrun's release.

Sauerbrun said Tuesday he believed he had been released because Broncos owner Pat Bowlen wanted him off the roster, offering, "Mike had mentioned that Pat maybe didn't want the bad press."

Shanahan publicly had said last week, "Let's let due process take care of itself and if he's guilty, he'll have to pay the price."

On Wednesday, the coach singled out Sauerbrun's behavior toward police Dec. 7, when he was cited for a municipal-ordinance violation after an incident with a cab driver in Cherry Creek and taken to a detox center overnight.

"Well, No. 1, I told Todd if he had any problems that he was going to be released," Shanahan said. "I wasn't really going to share that with you, but I decided to after he came out and made a couple comments (Tuesday).

"But the bottom line was the way he treated the police officers. . . . The way he talked to the officers and the way he handled that situation was very unprofessional. The police officers here in Denver have done an unbelievable job for us, you know, working with the Darrent Williams case. They've just been very good. For him to handle himself that way in that situation was uncalled for, and that's why he's not with us."

Take a look

Kicker Matt Prater practiced after the Broncos signed him off Miami's practice squad. Prater, who worked on kickoffs, could be used in that role Monday if the Broncos want to have three kickers on the 45-man game-day roster.

The Broncos also signed Paul Ernster, who has punted and handled kickoffs in his previous stints with the team.

"They haven't really said - maybe kickoffs," Prater said. "Maybe they're looking at next year, for offseason workouts or something like that, but I'll do whatever they ask."

Prater had been working at a beach resort near Fort Myers, Fla., until mid-November to fill the time between an early-season stint with the Falcons and when the Dolphins signed him to their practice squad.

Scouts believe Prater's leg strength meets NFL standards but he has needed some accuracy work on field goals.

Shanahan said the team brought Prater in "to compete with Paul and see how he does."

No rest

If Chargers coach Norv Turner sticks to his plan, the Broncos will get San Diego's best in a prime-time matchup at Qualcomm Stadium.

And that includes a steady diet of running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

"L.T., he's going to get his carries," Turner said.

The Chargers (9-5) have clinched the AFC West title, which assures them of a home playoff game in the wild-card round. But the Chargers cannot overtake the Colts for the No. 2 seed in the AFC to earn one of the two byes.

Still, Turner said his current plan is to play whoever is healthy against the Broncos, including Tomlinson, in an attempt to maintain momentum.

The Chargers have won eight of 10 after a 1-3 start. They also have won four in a row.

"I made it clear to people here and our players," Turner said. "If there is someone it's in our best interest to limit his time because of his physical situation, we're going to make good decisions in that area."

Etc.

* The Broncos claimed tackle Adrian Jones off waivers but did not get their man. Jones, who had been released by the New York Jets, also was claimed by Kansas City. So, by league rules, the Chiefs were awarded the player because their record is worse than the Broncos'.

* The Chargers are the 11th team since 1990 to start 1-3 or worse and still win their division.

* The Chargers did not practice but will return to the field today. The Broncos practiced for a little more than two hours and will have on-field workouts today and Friday.

He said it

"I don't receive too many gifts like I used to. . . . I might as well wear the suit."

Champ Bailey, Broncos cornerback, on giving more Christmas gifts to his family these days than he receives as his family's Santa Claus.

Careful, careful

Eleven NFL defenses have intercepted at least 16 passes this season. The Broncos enter Monday's game against league-leading San Diego already having faced seven of them.

Team Interceptions

*San Diego 27

Seattle 20

*Tennessee 20

*Indianapolis 19

Dallas 18

New England 18

*Green Bay 17

*Oakland 17

*Detroit 16

*Jacksonville 16

St. Louis 16

* Have played Broncos

Injury report

Linebacker Ian Gold (right knee) and tight end Daniel Graham (left ankle) did not participate in practice. Neither is expected to play Monday and both could miss the Broncos' remaining two games.

Graham's injury could force the Broncos to make some offensive adjustments because they have played out of a two-tight-end set against the Chargers' 3-4 defense in the past.

If Graham cannot play, Tony Scheffler and Chad Mustard would be the team's only full-time tight ends. Long snapper Mike Leach has practiced some at tight end.

For the Chargers, Turner said he would rule out only fullback Lorenzo Neal at this point. Linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee), who did not play Sunday against the Lions, might be able to play.

Numbers game

11players, including Sauerbrun and safety Marviel Underwood, have been waived by the Broncos since the start of November.