Matthews has just a bruise, expects to play against 49ers

By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) Quarterback Shane Matthews, whose non-throwing shoulder was injured in the Washington Redskins' loss to Philadelphia, said Tuesday he expects he'll be able to play Sunday against San Francisco.

Matthews bruised his left shoulder Monday night when he was hit on the final Redskins drive of the first half in the 37-7 loss. Matthews finished the series, but Danny Wuerffel replaced him at the start of the second half.

An exam Tuesday revealed nothing more serious than a bruise.

``I plan on playing,'' Matthews said. ``I felt like I could play the second half.''

Coach Steve Spurrier said Matthews will remain his starter if he is healthy. The coach said Matthews ``may be a little limited in practice'' this week.

``We'll check his shoulder situation and so forth, and if he's 100 percent, Shane will still be the starter,'' Spurrier said.

Matthews struggled against the Eagles, completing just 10 of 22 passes for 62 yards and one interception. The Redskins only score came on a punt return, making it the first game in which a Spurrier-coached team hasn't scored a touchdown in 10 years.

Wuerffel would start if Matthews can't play. Spurrier said he will give first-round draft pick Patrick Ramsey more work in practice in case the rookie has to suit up as the No. 2 quarterback.

Matthews had significant injuries in each of the last three years with the Chicago Bears. He earned the starting job out of training camp twice but was sidelined by a hamstring injury in 1999 and by strained ribs in 2001. He broke his thumb in the final game of the 2000 season.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)