The Associated Press

ASHBURN, Va. - Washington Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot was briefly knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital with a mild concussion after a collision during practice Thursday.

Smoot took a hit to the head from safety Matt Bowen as the two defended Rob Johnson's pass to Cliff Russell. Trainer Dean Kleinschmidt said Smoot was unconscious for "less than a minute" and woke up with a headache and back pain before being placed on a board and loaded in an ambulance.

"He could move his arms and legs and feel and squeeze," Kleinschmidt said. "He responded. He did not have amnesia."

Smoot was released from the hospital in the afternoon. He will be reevaluated today before determining his status for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

Bowen's aggressiveness in practice has been a problem for the Redskins since the start of training camp. He leveled running back Trung Canidate during the first week of practice, drawing the ire of coaches and cheers from his fellow defensive players.

Coach Steve Spurrier did not blame Bowen directly for Smoot's injury, but said: "We've all got to realize we're practicing against each other."

BRONCOS: Quarterback back Jake Plummer had no problems after testing his separated right shoulder with some long throws. He still had soreness after splitting time with backup Steve Beuerlein on the first team in practice, but the Broncos expect him to play Monday against Oakland.

• Coach Mike Shanahan was cleared of any wrongdoing after explaining to league officials why he lied about Plummer's injury during Sunday's game. The league started looking into Shanahan's actions after he told a CBS reporter Plummer had a concussion instead of a shoulder injury during halftime against San Diego.

Shanahan said he didn't want the Chargers to have an advantage if backup Steve Beuerlein got hurt. The Broncos had just two quarterbacks at the time.

Rules for reporting in-game injuries aren't as specific as pregame injuries, but the league didn't like Shanahan's deception tactics.

TITANS: Quarterback Steve McNair practiced and felt improvement in the ring finger of his throwing hand, which he had dislocated.

McNair is listed as questionable for Sunday's game with New Orleans (1-1) because of his finger and his left knee, which he sprained in the opener, but he should play.

PANTHERS: The team claimed safety Travares Tillman off waivers and placed defensive end Kavika Pittman on injured reserve.

Tillman, waived earlier this week by Houston, is recovering from a fractured right forearm but could play this week. Pittman will miss the rest of the season with torn knee ligaments.

VIKINGS: Receiver D'Wayne Bates was downgraded to questionable for this weekend's game against Detroit because of a sprained left foot. He is tied for second on the team with four catches for 33 yards and one touchdown.

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