IN BRIEF

FOOTBALL

Star receiver Marshall benched for Broncos' finale vs. Chiefs

Denver Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall will be benched for the Broncos' pivotal season finale Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"Our word for the week has been accountability. And we're looking to put the 45 guys on the field on Sunday that want to play together, want to help us try to win and qualify for the playoffs," Denver coach Josh McDaniels said. "... And anybody that showed any indifference to that, we'll play without them."

Marshall, who has three consecutive 100-catch seasons, suggested he couldn't have played anyway after pulling his right hamstring at practice this week.

But McDaniels insinuated that Marshall was exaggerating the extent of his injury and was unaccountable to the team. Marshall responded by noting McDaniels never played in the NFL and hinted he might be getting called out by his coach because the Broncos' season is unraveling.

Since a 6-0 start, the Broncos have gone 2-7 but still can make the playoffs.

Also: Backup quarterback Billy Volek is expected to get his most extensive playing time in two years when the San Diego Chargers host the Washington Redskins in the teams' regular-season finale Sunday. Coach Norv Turner said Philip Rivers will start, then make way for Volek at some point.

Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was limited in practice Thursday and Friday.

Michael Vick practiced again Friday and is expected to be the backup quarterback when the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Vick didn't play in Week 16 because of a quadriceps contusion.

A South Florida child abuse prevention group wants the NFL to reconsider booking The Who for the Super Bowl halftime show Feb. 7 in Miami.

Child AbuseWatch.net objects to Pete Townshend performing because of his 2003 arrest by British police on suspicion of possessing child pornography. He eventually was cleared but placed on a sex offenders registry for five years.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday that Townshend and The Who will perform as planned.

Boise State football coach Chris Petersen has agreed to a five-year contract that will keep him at the school through 2014. Financial terms were not disclosed. Petersen, 48-4 in four seasons at Boise State, had signed a five-year, $4.25 million contract in January 2007.

HOCKEY

U.S. team includes only three with experience in Olympics

Not since NHL players started going to the Olympics 12 years ago has the U.S. team featured so many fresh faces.

Of the 23 players chosen Friday for the Vancouver Games in February, only New York Rangers captain Chris Drury, New Jersey counterpart Jamie Langenbrunner and Detroit defenseman Brian Rafalski have Olympic experience.

The average age is 26.5 years. Rafalski is the oldest player at 36, and Chicago forward Patrick Kane, 21, is the youngest. That is quite a change from the former foundation that included then-44-year-old defenseman Chris Chelios four years ago.

Toronto's Ron Wilson will coach the team.

MISCELLANEOUS

Forward Smith among four Volunteers arrested, suspended

Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl indefinitely suspended four players, including starting senior forward Tyler Smith, who were charged with gun possession and other counts after a Friday traffic stop.

Smith, junior point guard Melvin Goins, junior center Brian Williams and sophomore guard Cameron Tatum were arrested for speeding near Tennessee's campus. A handgun with an altered serial number, a bag of marijuana and an open container of alcohol were found.

Also: South Carolina basketball coach Darrin Horn has dismissed forward Mike Holmes from the Gamecocks for repeatedly violating team rules. Holmes, who hasn't played since Nov. 27 because of a broken bone near his left eye, was averaging 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds this season.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Steve Blake was hospitalized with pneumonia and is expected to remain there for several days. He is averaging 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season.

American snowboarder Kevin Pearce was in critical condition at a Salt Lake City hospital after suffering a head injury while training in Park City. Pearce, 22, is a top-ranked halfpipe rider who had a good chance of making the U.S. Olympic team.