PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Majkowski Takes Harbaugh’s Spot

The second-highest quarterback rating in the AFC wasn’t good enough to save Jim Harbaugh’s starting job with the Indianapolis Colts.

Coach Ted Marchibroda announced Wednesday that Don Majkowski would start Sunday against the New York Jets. Harbaugh, signed as a free agent after being released by the Chicago Bears in the offseason, had started eight games for the Colts (3-5), as well as all four exhibition games.

“The reason is our record. I feel that a change is needed,” Marchibroda said. “I thought of many other changes, but the big impact one is the quarterback, so I went with the decision.”

“I was a little rusty,” Majkowski said after his first practice after the decision. “I was a little tentative in some of my throws. Hopefully, I’m getting some of the butterflies out.”

“They told me they wanted Don to come in and spark us,” said Harbaugh, who has completed 109 of 169 passes (58.7%) for 1,293 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

“I wasn’t happy to get the news. Now I’ll do my best to prepare to help Don. I’m not ashamed of the way I’ve played.”

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San Diego Charger quarterback Stan Humphries practiced Wednesday and said his bruised and sprained left ankle felt “pretty good.”

Humphries was hurt in the closing minutes of Sunday’s 20-15 loss to Denver, the Chargers’ first defeat this season.

“I feel better than I probably thought I would,” Humphries said. “But it could change tomorrow after running on it a little bit today. It could really swell up or whatever but it’s just going to be one of those deals that probably will change from day to day.”