Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley, who is thought to have killed himself with a gunshot to the head, had made previous statements about committing suicide, according to a sheriff’s investigative report released Tuesday.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s report quoted one investigator as saying McKinley had been depressed over a knee surgery he had a month ago.

“He had made statements while playing dominoes shortly after the surgery that he should just kill himself,” the officer reported. “No one believed he was serious.”

The report provided no explanation for the source of the investigator’s information.

The report also said McKinley had made statements about not knowing what he would do without football. It said McKinley had flown to South Carolina 10 days earlier to see his young son and had brought him back with him to Denver on Sunday night.

Two female friends who were taking care of his son discovered McKinley’s body Monday and called 911. Detectives who responded to his home a few miles from the Broncos headquarters found McKinley’s body with a pillow over his head and a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol on top of the pillow. They also noted a strong odor of freshly burned marijuana, according to the report.

NFL

Source: Saints’ Bush broke fibula

New Orleans — Reggie Bush’s broken leg likely will sideline him about six weeks but not the rest of the season, a person familiar with the injury said.

Bush was expected to be examined again Tuesday, according to the person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not officially updated Bush’s condition.

Vick to start for Eagles

Philadelphia — Michael Vick will take over as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback, coach Andy Reid said Tuesday, a day after he announced he would go back to Kevin Kolb.

“When someone is playing at the level Michael Vick is playing, you have to give him an opportunity,” Reid said Tuesday.

Kolb missed the last six quarters because of a concussion, and Vick played well in his absence. Kolb was cleared to practice and was expected to run the first-team offense today.

“Kevin is fine. It’s not an injury-related issue,” Reid said. “It’s not about judging him. He’s going to be a championship-caliber quarterback.”

Jets GM: Edwards will play

New York — Braylon Edwards will play in the Jets’ next game against the Miami Dolphins. When he gets on the field against New York’s AFC East rival is up to Rex Ryan.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum told the Associated Press on Tuesday night that the star wide receiver would be active Sunday night despite being arrested for drunken driving Tuesday morning.

Redskins release Larry Johnson

Ashburn, Va. — Running back Larry Johnson has been released by the Washington Redskins after gaining 2 yards on five carries in two games with the team.

Tuesday’s move comes two days after Johnson lost 10 yards on one of his two runs in Washington’s 30-27 overtime loss to the Houston Texans.

Steelers’ Dixon needs surgery

Pittsburgh — Steelers quarterback Dennis Dixon will have left knee surgery Wednesday and is out indefinitely, meaning Byron Leftwich or Charlie Batch will start Sunday at Tampa Bay.

In other NFL injury news:

— The Atlanta Falcons have placed backup running back Jerious Norwood on season-ending injured reserve because of a knee injury, forcing the team to make two moves to add depth.

— The Cleveland Browns have lost reserve linebacker Kaluka Maiava for the season with a leg injury. The Browns placed the second-year player on injured reserve Tuesday.

— The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed quarterback Todd Bouman, giving the team an experienced backup to starter David Garrard.

The Jaguars also placed quarterback Luke McCown on injured reserve Tuesday. McCown tore a ligament in his right knee in the final minute of Sunday’s 38-13 loss at San Diego. McCown suffered the same injury in 2006.

Texans OL Brown suspended

Houston — Houston left tackle Duane Brown was suspended for four games Tuesday for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs, joining Texans linebacker Brian Cushing on the sideline for the same offense.

Brown, the Texans’ first-round draft choice in 2008, said he would not appeal the suspension, meaning his first game back will be Nov. 1 at Indianapolis.

MLB

Torre sorry for comments

Los Angeles — Dodgers manager Joe Torre said Tuesday he was sorry for saying he was curious about the New York Mets job and current Mets manager Jerry Manuel accepted the apology after taking offense earlier in the day.

“It certainly wasn’t my intention of doing that and making people believe that I wanted to manage the Mets,” Torre said before the Dodgers played the San Diego Padres.

Texas’ Hamilton has fractured ribs

Anaheim, Calif. — Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton, the majors’ leading hitter and a top AL MVP candidate, has two fractured ribs but has not been ruled out for the season.

The injury was revealed Tuesday. Hamilton has not played for the AL West-leading Rangers since crashing into a wall while making a catch Sept. 4 at Minnesota. The outfielder had already been dealing with stiffness in his back when that happened.