Broncos make Cutler starting quarterback

Jay Cutler's time has arrived.

Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan ended speculation Monday by officially elevating the rookie to starting quarterback for the rest of the year, sending Jake Plummer to the bench.

"He's our future, he's our present," Shanahan said.

Cutler, the 11th pick out of Vanderbilt in the draft last April, hasn't taken a snap since the preseason. But Shanahan is hoping a quarterback change can ignite the Broncos' struggling offense. The team is 7-4, but ranks 26th in the league in yards passing per game (171.5).

"There's a lot of pressure on a first-year quarterback, no question about it," Shanahan said. "I think this kid can handle it.

"I think he gives us the best chance to win."

A quarterback switch worked in Dallas when Tony Romo took over for Drew Bledsoe. The Cowboys have gone 4-1 with Romo as the starter. San Diego is leading the AFC West behind first-year starter Philip Rivers.

Cutler had an impressive preseason for Denver, throwing for 561 yards, third best in the NFL. Romo led the league with 833 yards passing in exhibition play. Cutler's passer rating (108.3) led the league in the preseason.

Plummer will be relegated to backup duty for basically the first time in his 10-year career. He's 39-15 as Denver's starter in the regular season.

Plummer's passer rating (70.5) is 28th in the league. Only six quarterbacks have a worse rating, and two don't start anymore and three are rookies. Plummer has thrown 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions this season.

Colts may sign Proehl

The Indianapolis Colts, who have been without wide receiver Brandon Stokley for most of the season, are very close to adding veteran free agent Ricky Proehl to their roster.

Coach Tony Dungy said Monday the team was talking with Proehl, who was in Indianapolis, but he did not think he had been signed. However, Proehl's agent, Alan Herman, told The Indianapolis Star the 38-year-old receiver had signed a one-year deal.

Bengals' Perry breaks leg

Running back Chris Perry had surgery Monday for a broken right leg.

Perry suffered the season-ending broken fibula in the second quarter of a 30-0 victory in Cleveland on Sunday. Linebacker Andra Davis landed on his lower leg while tackling him at the end of a run. Perry needed a pin inserted to help the bone heal correctly.

A first-round draft pick out of Michigan in 2004, Perry has been sidelined for much of his career by injuries. He missed most of his rookie season because of a hamstring injury and a hernia.

A sprained ankle forced him to miss a couple of games last year, when he ran for 279 yards and caught 51 passes. Perry had ankle and knee operations in the offseason, and missed the first five games of 2006. He had 10 carries for 57 yards and nine catches for 42 yards before the injury.

-- The Associated Press