Cardinals defensive end Travis LaBoy was limited during practice yesterday with a biceps injury as Arizona hit the field for the first time since winning the NFC championship.

LaBoy, a former University of Hawai'i standout, missed the NFC title game against Philadelphia last Sunday.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder has recorded 31 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble this season.

The Cardinals play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1 at Tampa, Fla.

Arizona running back J.J. Arrington was sidelined yesterday with a knee injury.

Arrington, who became an increasingly important part of Arizona's offense, was injured against Philadelphia.

Defensive end Antonio Smith (knee) and punter Ben Graham (left groin) also were limited in practice.

GIANTS

RECEIVER BIDDLE SHOT OUTSIDE OF RESTAURANT

New York Giants receiver Taye Biddle is recovering from gunshot wounds to his hand after being shot while visiting family in his hometown of Decatur, Ala.

Decatur police said in a statement yesterday that Biddle was shot Sunday night outside a residence and was treated and released from a local hospital. Police said there was no evidence Biddle caused or provoked the shooting.

The shooting was first reported by The Huntsville Times newspaper.

Police have not made any arrests in the case and have not released a possible motive for the shooting.

Biddle, 25, was promoted from the Giants' practice squad after receiver Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg in a night club last November.

ELSEWHERE

Player death: The death of former NFL defensive lineman Shane Dronett has been ruled a suicide. Ted Bailey, the Gwinnett County (Ga.) medical examiner's chief forensics investigator, said that out of respect for Dronett's family no further details would be provided. The 38-year-old Dronett, who played 10 years in the NFL and started every game for the Atlanta Falcons' 1998 Super Bowl team, was found dead at his home Wednesday.

Buccaneers: New Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris made the first major addition to his staff, hiring Jim Bates to replace him as the team's defensive coordinator. Morris was promoted from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator on Christmas Day, but wound up with his first head coaching job after Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen were fired last week.

Rams: Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo hired Pat Shurmur as St. Louis' offensive coordinator and Ken Flajole as defensive coordinator. Shurmur, 43, has been an assistant for Philadelphia since 1999, the past seven years as quarterbacks coach. Flajole, 54, is a veteran NFL assistant who comes from Carolina, where he coached linebackers.