DENVER — Former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry has been arrested following an alleged cocaine deal, the Drug Enforcement Administration said yesterday.

Henry and James Mack were arrested a day earlier after the two met to buy cocaine from a person who was cooperating with authorities, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Mack and Henry were in federal custody on suspicion of knowingly and intentionally conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. They were advised of charges yesterday. A preliminary hearing and detention hearing were scheduled for Monday.

Henry's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, and his agent did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment.

If convicted as charged, Henry and Mack face up to life in prison and a $4 million fine.

The case has its roots in Montana, where a trooper and DEA agent stopped a car that was carrying six pounds of marijuana and about three kilograms of cocaine on Sept. 16, the affidavit said.

A passenger in the car, whose name was not disclosed in the affidavit, told authorities Mack and Henry had supplied him with the drugs, which he was supposed to deliver to customers in Billings. The man said he was supposed to be paid $5,000 for delivering the drugs and transporting about $63,600 in sales proceeds to Henry, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit indicated that separately, the passenger and another customer in Billings already owed Henry about $40,000 in drug proceeds. The passenger told authorities Henry had threatened him and his family over the debt.

The passenger agreed to cooperate with authorities and set up a drug deal Tuesday with Henry that led to the arrests of Mack and Henry, the affidavit said.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan declined comment yesterday, saying it wouldn't be fair to say anything until he knew the facts of the case.

Henry was released from the Broncos June 2, when Shanahan said his commitment was lacking.

Henry signed a five-year $22.5 million contract with the Broncos before the 2007 season, but was dogged during training camp by a sprained left knee.

Henry rushed for 691 yards on 167 carries with four touchdowns in his one season in Denver, which was marked by a successful appeal of a one-year NFL suspension over a failed drug test.

TITANS

YOUNG BACK PRACTICING

Tennessee quarterback Vince Young practiced for the first time yesterday since spraining his left knee Sept. 7 and sparking concern after police were called to help search for him. He was limited, but took a few snaps with both the scout team and the first-team offense.

Young didn't talk to reporters and hasn't since Sept. 11 when he explained his mother had overreacted to him taking off with his cell phone. That day he also said he expected he would return as starter once healthy.

Veteran Kerry Collins, now entrenched as the starter, said he thought Young was excited to be back on the field.

"I think guys were happy to see him out there. He's going to be a part of what we do from here on out. I see no reason why he can't be a positive force on the offense," Collins said.

CARDINALS

BOLDIN FRACTURES SINUS

Anquan Boldin has a fractured sinus as a result of what he acknowledges was the worst hit he's received in his football career.

The Arizona Cardinals standout wide receiver doesn't know how long he will be sidelined, but when he returns, he says, there will be no change in his trademark tough, aggressive style.

"For me it was just a part of football," said Boldin, who leads the NFL in touchdown catches with five. "It's an unfortunate incident that happened but, you know, you take your bumps and bruises."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended New York Jets safety Eric Smith for one game and fined him $50,000 for the vicious, helmet-to-helmet hit on Boldin in the end zone during the waning seconds of the Jets' 56-35 victory over the Cardinals at the Meadowlands on Sunday.

"You never know somebody's intentions," Boldin said, "but I didn't think it was intentional."

STEELERS

DAVENPORT REJOINS TEAM

Down to one healthy running back, the Pittsburgh Steelers brought back two players from last season by re-signing Najeh Davenport and promoting Gary Russell from the practice squad yesterday.

The Steelers, third in the NFL in rushing last season, lost Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker to a sprained knee last week and first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall to a season-ending fractured shoulder Monday night against Baltimore.

Mewelde Moore, normally the third-down back, is expected to start Sunday night in Jacksonville.

Davenport was the Steelers' second-leading rusher last season with 499 yards and a 4.7 yards per carry average.

"I still know all of the (pass) protections and most of the plays," Davenport said yesterday. "Some stuff is new, but you've got to adjust to that. That's expected."

NOTES

Giants: Kicker Lawrence Tynes has had swelling in his injured left knee after almost every workout and does not appear close to returning to action, he indicated yesterday.

Redskins: Defensive end Jason Taylor, who did not practice yesterday, appears likely to miss a second straight game as he recovers from calf surgery.

Bengals: Quarterback Carson Palmer handed off during practice yesterday, but didn't participate in plays that called for a pass, part of the plan to help his sore elbow heal. Coach Marvin Lewis plans to wait until late in the week to decide whether Palmer will play on Sunday in Dallas.

Saints: Joey Harrington, a former third overall draft choice by Detroit in 2002, was signed as New Orleans third quarterback yesterday. He will back up Drew Brees and Mark Brunell.

Obit: Milt Davis, an All-Pro defensive back who helped the Baltimore Colts win two NFL championships in the 1950s, died of cancer in Oregon on Monday. He was 79.