AFC : Harbaugh Has Knee Surgery

Jim Harbaugh, the NFL’s top-rated quarterback, underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove damaged cartilage from his right knee and will be out at least one week.

“He’ll definitely be out a week, and beyond that they really don’t know,” Coach Ted Marchibroda said.

Marchibroda said either Paul Justin, who relieved Harbaugh on Sunday, or Craig Erickson would start at Jacksonville this week.

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Jet defensive end Marvin Washington, who was ejected from Sunday’s loss to the St. Louis Rams after delivering a hit on quarterback Chris Miller, said he did nothing wrong. “I left my feet and I was coming down and I didn’t want my helmet to hit his chin,” Washington said. “I didn’t want to do anything or come down maliciously, but they said I hit him maliciously with my forearm. I thought it was a good hit, and looking at the films it looked good. I wasn’t trying to give him a concussion, just to put a lick on him.”

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New York Jet guard Carlton Haselrig was suspended for one year for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, the league said.

Haselrig, who received a personal leave of absence from the New York Jets Nov. 25, last was seen Nov. 27 in Bayonne (N.J.) Municipal Court, where he was fined for reckless driving and had a disorderly persons charge dropped.

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Denver Bronco tight end Shannon Sharpe is expected to sit out at least one game after being accidentally hit in the left eye by teammate Mark Schlereth in the second quarter of the Broncos’ 31-23 victory over Jacksonville on Sunday.