The Associated Press

Indianapolis Colts tight end Marcus Pollard will have additional tests on his right ankle, which he sprained late in the first half of Sunday's 38-31 victory at Kansas City.

"He was able to go back in and finish the game, but he was sore last night," coach Tony Dungy said Monday.

Dungy said injuries to Pollard and receiver Marvin Harrison, who was hit in the ribs, were the Colts' most serious concerns as they prepare for Sunday's AFC championship at New England.

"Marvin doesn't really have any rib damage but is sore and may be limited in practice for a couple days," Dungy said.

Three members of the defense also have injuries. Safety Idrees Bashir separated his right shoulder in the first half against the Chiefs, and middle linebacker Rob Morris separated his left shoulder. Rookie Donald Strickland, who replaced Bashir, has a sore knee, but all three should be ready for the Patriots, Dungy said.

PANTHERS: Carolina running back Stephen Davis is questionable for the NFC championship game with a strained left quadriceps. Davis was injured on a 64-yard run in the second quarter of the Panthers' win against St. Louis on Saturday. He left the game and did not return.

"It's a pull, and typically you just start treatment on those and kind of play it by ear," Carolina coach John Fox said. "Everybody's different. It's the degree of the pull, the particular player and how they handle injuries. There's no 100 percent diagnosis."

PATRIOTS: New England linebacker Willie McGinest comes up with the big-time plays.

The Patriot had the key tackle of New England's playoff victory over Tennessee on Saturday when he knocked Frank Wycheck for a 10-yard loss at the end of the third quarter. The play stalled the Titans' comeback, and the Patriots went on to win 17-14.

It was reminiscent of the goal-line tackle McGinest made against the Colts on Nov. 30 to preserve New England's 38-34 regular-season victory. With Indianapolis coming to Foxboro for the AFC title game, the Patriots are glad McGinest is back in the form that first earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl in 1997.

McGinest was a star of the Patriots' team that made it to the 1997 Super Bowl, but missed half of the next season with a groin injury and in the 2001-02 seasons he wasn't a regular starter.

McGinest had 79 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks this season. He was the AFC's defensive player of the week in Week 16 after recording nine tackles and 11/2 sacks in a 21-16 victory over the New York Jets.

Sunday's AFC title game gives Indianapolis another chance at McGinest, who stopped Edgerrin James at the goal line on a fourth-and-1 on Nov. 30.

On the air

Sunday, Jan. 18

AFC Championship

Indianapolis (14-4) at New England (15-2), 3 p.m., (Ch. 12. 7).

NFC Championship

Carolina (13-5) at Philadelphia (13-4), 6:45 p.m., (Ch. 19, 45).

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