Broncos deactivate starting RB Tatum Bell

DENVER (AP) The Denver Broncos' revolving door of running backs keeps spinning with Tatum Bell inactive. <br/><br/>Coach Mike Shanahan, who said last week that he regretted believing Bell's insistence

Sunday, November 19th 2006, 10:44 pm

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) The Denver Broncos' revolving door of running backs keeps spinning with Tatum Bell inactive.

Coach Mike Shanahan, who said last week that he regretted believing Bell's insistence he was healthy, deactivated his starting tailback for Denver's showdown with the San Diego Chargers.

Bell has two sprained big toes, but the former Oklahoma State standout talked his way into the line last week at Oakland, where he mustered 37 yards on 14 painful carries.

Bell acknowledged Thursday he was still hurting and would probably have to play through pain all season. He also allowed that he had, quote, ``lost a step'' because of the injuries.

Even though Shanahan mentioned twice during the week how disappointed he was in himself for getting fooled by Bell, the coach said he was sticking with the third-year pro as his starter.

Saturday, Bell was upgraded to probable.