The Associated Press

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Daunte Culpepper is keeping his job as the Minnesota Vikings' starting quarterback this week, and backup Todd Bouman is doing his best to stay diplomatic.

Yet Bouman didn't hide his desire to be a starter, and he said Wednesday he might want to play elsewhere next season to get the chance.

"Obviously as an athlete, you want to be on the field," Bouman said.

On Sunday against the New York Giants, an ineffective Culpepper was pulled late in the third quarter for Bouman, who fumbled twice, losing one. But he also directed two long touchdown drives that gave Minnesota a late, short-lived lead.

Culpepper has taken his share of criticism, but he still has the support of his huddle.

"That's what matters," he said. "As long as I have the confidence of my teammates."

Culpepper said he's confident, but he's also feeling the pressure.

"I'm to the point where I feel I have to prove myself every day," he said. "Me going out and making plays - that's how I want to prove myself as a player day in and day out."

Mike Tice said benching Culpepper on Sunday was one his toughest decisions as coach. During practice Wednesday, Tice said he thought Culpepper looked sharp.

"We're hoping he gains some of that swagger back," Tice said.

BRONCOS: The injury to Shannon Sharpe's elbow might be worse than he thought, and the tight end isn't sure how many games he'll miss.

Sharpe partially dislocated his right elbow during Denver's 34-10 loss to Oakland on Monday night, and the team said he would be sidelined two to four weeks. But Sharpe said Wednesday his elbow is still swollen and he doesn't know when he'll be able to return.

REDSKINS: Running back Stephen Davis practiced for the first time in two weeks Wednesday, and he expects his sore right knee to be strong enough for him to play in Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

Davis missed the last two games after spraining his right knee for the second time this season.

COLTS: Running back Edgerrin James, who has missed the last two games, might be able to play Sunday against Dallas.

His backup, Ricky Williams also might be ready.

James and Williams practiced Wednesday, and coach Tony Dungy said they could be ready to play. Dungy said the Colts probably would be without starting wide receiver Qadry Ismail, who sprained his left knee.

BEARS: Quarterback Chris Chandler will start for the Chicago Bears on Monday night. But center Olin Kreutz underwent an appendectomy Monday night and is listed questionable for the game against the St. Louis Rams.

"What they've told us is it just depends on how Olin feels, how these things heal," coach Dick Jauron said.

RAMS: Marshall Faulk isn't being ruled out of Monday night's game with Chicago.

The All-Pro running back left Sunday's victory over the Chargers with a sprained left ankle and strained tendon in his right foot and was on crutches the next day. But he was feeling much better Wednesday.

"This will be something we'll take to the very end," coach Mike Martz said.

LIONS: Kick returner Desmond Howard will miss the rest of the season because of a neck injury.

CHARGERS: Offensive tackle Vaughn Parker had surgery to repair his torn left triceps muscle, and he'll miss at least two games.

CHIEFS: Carol Vermeil, the wife of Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil, struggled with a thief who got away with her billfold in the city's fashionable shopping district.

The 66-year-old woman had a scraped knee after the man knocked her to the ground late Tuesday.

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