NFL close to rule barring return after concussion

The NFL and NFL Players Association are finalizing a policy that would effectively prohibit a player from re-entering a game that he exits with a concussion-related injury.

Such a policy will be effective immediately once both sides sign off on the document.

"We're really at a stage where we're dotting the i's and crossing the t's," Dr. Thom Mayer, the NFLPA's medical director, said on Saturday. "We're waiting on the final draft."

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Also under discussion with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is a policy that would arbitrarily prohibit a player from playing the subsequent week after suffering a concussion.

That concept needs further debate, sources said, although it would enable teams to prepare competitively with knowledge they would be missing a player as opposed to awaiting any post-concussion symptoms late in a week, such as what has occurred recently with the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, the Cardinals' Kurt Warner and the Eagles' Brian Westbrook, who were late scratches from games.

Any new concussion policy that forces a player to sit out games is expected to drive a discussion by the league competition committee that would expand game-day rosters beyond the current 45 available players.

Earlier in the week, the league announced a series of initiatives aimed at advancing management of concussion-related injuries. Most significantly, the league and the union will assign neurologists to each team.

"What you're seeing publicly this week is the result of a lot of hard work by both sides," Mayer said. "I give a lot of credit to Roger Goodell and I give a lot of credit to De Smith [NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith]. From the moment De took over the job, he made it clear that the health and safety of our players is non-negotiable."

One idea that Smith and Mayer have discussed is establishing a joint account or NFLPA account that would pay doctors bills, especially neurologists. Currently, teams are solely responsible for medical expenses.

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Indianapolis Colts DE Dwight Freeney won't play vs. Houston Texans

The undefeated Indianapolis Colts will be without sack leader Dwight Freeney when they play the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Freeney is suffering from an abdominal injury and did not accompany the team on the trip to Houston.

Freeney

"He was getting better and moving along, but we just feel the best solution is for him to take a few more days to get ready," head coach Jim Caldwell told ESPN on Saturday.

Freeney and counterpart Robert Mathis are the leading pass-rushers on a Colts defense that has allowed the fewest points in the league this season. The Colts have held three opponents without touchdowns while compiling a 10-0 record that makes them one of the league's final two unbeaten teams.

Freeney did not practice all week and was listed as questionable, though following the team's final practice on Friday, Freeney said he definitely intended to play and would make whatever adjustments were necessary in terms of altering his pass-rush moves.

Caldwell would not identify which player would replace Freeney in the starting lineup but mentioned veteran Raheem Brock and then noted the team had re-signed Josh Thomas earlier in the week.

"We still have a good compliment of guys to rotate," Caldwell said.AFC South blog

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Freeney played with the injury in last week's victory over the Baltimore Ravens, a game in which he finished with an empty stat line -- no tackles, sacks, quarterback hits or forced fumbles.

The Colts have dominated the series against the Texans but the games have typically been close, with the Colts winning by a field goal earlier this month. Freeney has contributed significantly. In 14 meetings with the Texans, Freeney has 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. In the Colts' victory earlier in the season, Freeney had one of his best performances of the year. He had 1.5 sacks and a season-high seven tackles against the Texans three weeks ago.

"He's as fine a player as I, an offensive coordinator, have tried to scheme against in all my years in football," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said this week.

Indy (10-0) can clinch the AFC South title with a win and a Jacksonville loss.

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Sources: New foot worries for Eli Manning of New York Giants

Compensating for the plantar fasciitis he battled for much of this season, New York quarterback Eli Manning has developed a stress reaction in his right foot that could be even more problematic for the Giants, according to sources close to the situation.

A recent MRI on Manning's foot revealed the stress reaction in the cuboid bone, which makes Manning susceptible to a stress fracture that could end his 2009 season.

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Before any stress fracture develops, the Giants are aggressively treating the stress reaction, trying to get Manning to stay off it as much as possible, having him wear extra supportive shoes and using a bone stimulator on the injured area.

For now, the stress reaction is not enough to sideline Manning. But Manning has been spotted favoring the foot, which he was doing as recently as Thursday night, when he was seen limping at times.

After consulting with other foot specialists in recent weeks, the Giants are not surprised -- they had come to expect that the plantar fasciitis could lead to the stress reaction.

Manning was able to play Thursday night at Denver, where he completed 24-of-40 passes for 230 yards and one interception during the Giants' 26-6 loss to the Broncos.

More than anything, the stress reaction provides another glimpse as to what Manning has had to endure this season. He started the season with plantar fasciitis, later aggravated the injury, and then developed a stress reaction in his foot. It is hardly the only reason for his recent struggles, but it certainly has not helped.

The Giants believe Manning is recovered from the plantar fasciitis and it no longer is an issue.

Even with the stress reaction, the Giants have been in compliance on the NFL's injury report, continually listing Manning with a "foot" injury.

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Source: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to sit Sunday against Baltimore Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who practiced this week despite suffering the fourth concussion of his career last week, will be scratched for Sunday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens, a source confirmed to ESPN.com's John Clayton.

Roethlisberger expressed reservations Friday about playing, and he and the Steelers' medical staff decided Saturday it'd be best if he sat out.

The Steelers will sign quarterback Tyler Palko off the practice squad and release receiver Shaun McDonald. Dennis Dixon will be the starting quarterback and Palko will be the backup, with Roethlisberger considered as the third option.

Dixon, the third-string option before Charlie Batch broke his left wrist when he came in during last Sunday's loss to Kansas City, has appeared in one game in his two NFL seasons, completing one pass.

FoxSports.com first reported Roethlisberger's status.

Jerry Lai/US PresswireBen Roethlisberger helped secure a 23-14 victory and the AFC championship when the Steelers last faced the Ravens in January.

Roethlisberger, who was having his best season statistically despite the Steelers' erratic play, went through "a normal week" of preparation for the pivotal game at Baltimore and had said he had every intention of playing.

"It's part of the nature of the beast of playing this game. It's a violent, physical contact sport and there's a chance you're going to get hit," Roethlisberger said Thursday. "You guys don't talk about the bruises we have all over our body. If I showed you a bruise on my shoulder and a bruise on my shin, it wouldn't get talked about as much. It's a violent sport we play."

The last time the Steelers and Ravens met, a berth in the Super Bowl was at stake. This time, the matchup could play a big role in which team reaches the postseason.

Pittsburgh (6-4) beat Baltimore (5-5) three times in 2008 en route to its record sixth Super Bowl title, and its 23-14 win in the AFC title game may have been the most bruising encounter of the bunch.

The defensive battle saw each team punt seven times, with the Steelers putting the game out of reach with Troy Polamalu's 40-yard interception return for a touchdown with 4:24 left.

Both teams trail division leader Cincinnati, which is 7-3.

Baltimore failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second straight game last Sunday, falling 17-15 to unbeaten Indianapolis. Pittsburgh's loss last Sunday was much more surprising, blowing a 10-point lead in a 27-24 overtime defeat to a Kansas City team which entered with a 2-7 record.

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The Steelers' second consecutive loss and the Ravens' fourth in six games helped jumble the AFC playoff picture, and has added fuel to this edition of the rivalry.

"You know it's fireworks every time we play these guys, we're excited about preparing for them," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "You know they're a similar team that we remember competing against. They can say similar things that we're saying, that they're a 5-5 team and not happy with where they are."

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has gone three straight games without a touchdown pass for the first time in his career after throwing for 256 yards -- 142 to Derrick Mason -- in last week's loss.

Getting untracked against the Steelers' top-ranked defense won't be easy for the Ravens, whose losses have all come against current division leaders.

"These losses have been against teams that are quality football teams," coach John Harbaugh said. "Call them elite football teams in the league, but we aspire to that."

Flacco had one touchdown, five interceptions and a 44.9 completion percentage while getting sacked 10 times in the three losses to Pittsburgh last season.

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Minnesota Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian, running back Adrian Peterson limited in practice

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian (hamstring) and cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot) were listed as limited in practice Wednesday, as was running back Adrian Peterson (ankle).NFC North blog

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Winfield is expected to return for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears after missing the past five weeks.

Starting right guard Anthony Herrera has a concussion.

Herrera did not participate in Wednesday's practice because of the condition. Coach Brad Childress didn't mention it this week, and he was unavailable for comment when the injury report was released. Herrera hasn't missed any time this season.

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Already faced with a short week of preparation leading up to their Thanksgiving game against the Giants, the Denver Broncos appear to have made the attempt to quell some inner turmoil brought on by a four-game losing streak.

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Safety Brian Dawkins called for a players-only meeting Tuesday and, although he wouldn't elaborate on what was said, teammates and coaches said the well-documented Knowshon Moreno-Brandon Marshall sideline spat was no longer an issue.

"We are on the same page," tight end Daniel Graham said. "There were a lot of emotions out there. No one likes losing. Frustrations came out a little bit. This team will stick together. We are going to fight through this together."

In Sunday's 32-3 loss to San Diego, which thrust the Chargers (7-3) past the Broncos (6-4) into the AFC West lead, receiver Marshall berated running back Moreno after Moreno fumbled at the goal line. Marshall was then shoved in the chest by the rookie as he continued the verbal smackdown on the sideline.

Neither player was in the locker room Tuesday during Denver's only player availability this week. Dawkins said no one should perceive the Broncos as being a divided team.

"What we do as a team, we keep that stuff to ourselves," Dawkins said, according to the Denver Post. "But if we're winning and we have that same argument on the sidelines, does anybody report that? If they do, they say it's our passion. But because we lost that game, and guys were a little emotional, then it's a bad thing.

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"I don't buy into that. That's not who we are, who we've been throughout this year. I don't worry about that. Those are things that happen on the sideline, that is passion."

Coach Josh McDaniels said the Broncos (6-4) need to channel their energy in more positive ways.

"Like I said after the game, it's an emotional sport, we have a lot of emotional players. I show a lot of emotion sometimes and I think we've just got to understand what's good and what's not good in terms of showing that and letting that out," McDaniels said Tuesday.

But McDaniels declined again to address his own trash-talking incident with some Chargers linebackers during warmups, an occurrence that critics suggest reveals some immaturity on the part of the 33-year-old rookie coach.

After telling the Chargers defenders, "We own you," McDaniels watched the main target of his taunt, Shaun Phillips, sweep around fill-in right tackle Tyler Polumbus to force Chris Simms to fumble away the ball on Denver's first pass attempt.

The Chargers converted the takeaway into a touchdown, and the Broncos fell apart.

"I have no comment on that," McDaniels said. "I've moved on to the Giants."

Veteran defensive end Vonnie Holliday defended his boss' actions.

"The thing about Josh is that he's a very competitive guy, too. He's right there in that fire with us," Holliday said.

Kaka expects cup progressDenver Broncos out to regain their composure

Denver Broncos out to regain their composure

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Already faced with a short week of preparation leading up to their Thanksgiving game against the Giants, the Denver Broncos appear to have made the attempt to quell some inner turmoil brought on by a four-game losing streak.

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Joaquin presents Mike & Mike's Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks as the guys make their Week 12 NFL picks. The guys go head to head over Giants-Broncos.

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Safety Brian Dawkins called for a players-only meeting Tuesday and, although he wouldn't elaborate on what was said, teammates and coaches said the well-documented Knowshon Moreno-Brandon Marshall sideline spat was no longer an issue.

"We are on the same page," tight end Daniel Graham said. "There were a lot of emotions out there. No one likes losing. Frustrations came out a little bit. This team will stick together. We are going to fight through this together."

In Sunday's 32-3 loss to San Diego, which thrust the Chargers (7-3) past the Broncos (6-4) into the AFC West lead, receiver Marshall berated running back Moreno after Moreno fumbled at the goal line. Marshall was then shoved in the chest by the rookie as he continued the verbal smackdown on the sideline.

Neither player was in the locker room Tuesday during Denver's only player availability this week. Dawkins said no one should perceive the Broncos as being a divided team.

"What we do as a team, we keep that stuff to ourselves," Dawkins said, according to the Denver Post. "But if we're winning and we have that same argument on the sidelines, does anybody report that? If they do, they say it's our passion. But because we lost that game, and guys were a little emotional, then it's a bad thing.

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"I don't buy into that. That's not who we are, who we've been throughout this year. I don't worry about that. Those are things that happen on the sideline, that is passion."

Coach Josh McDaniels said the Broncos (6-4) need to channel their energy in more positive ways.

"Like I said after the game, it's an emotional sport, we have a lot of emotional players. I show a lot of emotion sometimes and I think we've just got to understand what's good and what's not good in terms of showing that and letting that out," McDaniels said Tuesday.

But McDaniels declined again to address his own trash-talking incident with some Chargers linebackers during warmups, an occurrence that critics suggest reveals some immaturity on the part of the 33-year-old rookie coach.

After telling the Chargers defenders, "We own you," McDaniels watched the main target of his taunt, Shaun Phillips, sweep around fill-in right tackle Tyler Polumbus to force Chris Simms to fumble away the ball on Denver's first pass attempt.

The Chargers converted the takeaway into a touchdown, and the Broncos fell apart.

"I have no comment on that," McDaniels said. "I've moved on to the Giants."

Veteran defensive end Vonnie Holliday defended his boss' actions.

"The thing about Josh is that he's a very competitive guy, too. He's right there in that fire with us," Holliday said.

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Buffalo Bills official meets with Mike Shanahan in Denver

Former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan met for seven hours Monday night and Tuesday morning in Denver with Buffalo Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon.

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Brandon delivered what was said to be a persuasive presentation about why Shanahan should be interested in the Bills. He pitched Shanahan on the merits of the market, the condition of the franchise and what a good match it could be.

The two sides did agree on one point: Each would take its time in this process, to be certain it makes the right decision about what's next for each.

"We had an excellent meeting," Shanahan said Wednesday. "I was really impressed with Russ Brandon and everything he had to say. We're going to stay in touch and see what develops."

The Bills want to thoroughly investigate all of the coaches who are and could be available, even though they clearly are serious about Shanahan.

At the same time, Shanahan would like to see what opportunities might be out there for him to return to the NFL in 2010.

The Bills fired Dick Jauron last week and named defensive coordinator Perry Fewell interim coach.

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Ben Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh Steelers likely to play vs. Baltimore Ravens, says coach Mike Tomlin

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to play this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens.

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Roethlisberger took a knee to the head in last week's overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Tomlin, speaking at his weekly news conference, confirmed that Roethlisberger suffered a concussion but the quarterback passed all of the neurological tests Monday.

"I met with Ben yesterday; he felt normal and he felt fine," Tomlin said. "The battery of tests that he took showed that he showed no symptoms. So we will continue to monitor his condition and where he is on a day-to-day basis and let that guide our decision-making. But as I sit here today, he is symptom-free and feeling fine. So we anticipate Ben practicing tomorrow."

Tomlin left the door open to keep Roethlisberger out of the lineup if there were any setbacks during practice this week. But if Roethlisberger is on the field for practice, he's likely to play on Sunday.

With Charlie Batch out with a wrist injury, the Steelers would have to turn to third-stringer Dennis Dixon if Roethlisberger cannot suit up.

"I've been very pleased with Dennis' progress as a third quarterback," Tomlin said. "That's different, of course, than playing against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night television. No question we would have to do some things to help him if he plays in this game."

This is a big game for the Ravens (5-5) and Steelers (6-4), as both teams are fighting for playoff positioning in the AFC.

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Philadelphia Eagles sign tackle Winston Justice to 4-year extension

PHILADELPHIA -- Right tackle Winston Justice has signed a four-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Justice's deal is worth $18.15 million, including a $6 million signing bonus, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The team announced the deal on Tuesday. Justice could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

A second-round pick in 2006, Justice has started every game this season after starting only one in his first three years in the NFL. He replaced Shawn Andrews, who didn't take a snap and was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending back injury.

Jon Runyan had started every game at right tackle for the Eagles since 2000, but he wasn't re-signed after last season and remains a free agent.

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Source: San Francisco 49ers drop tampering charges vs. New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers president Jed York is dropping the team's tampering charge against the New York Jets over Michael Crabtree, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Monday.

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The 49ers filed tampering charges with the NFL regarding their then-negotiations with first-round draft pick Crabtree. Former player Deion Sanders said he knew two teams that were willing to pay Crabtree what he wanted while he was holding out from the Niners. The 49ers investigated and filed the charge against the Jets.

The 49ers signed Crabtree to a six-year contract in early October. He has 22 catches for 292 yards and one touchdown since joining the 49ers.

Crabtree caught 97 passes for 1,165 yards and 19 touchdowns last year during his sophomore season at Texas Tech. He finished his college career with 231 receptions for 3,127 yards and 41 TDs.

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Source: NFL reprimands New England Patriots' security chief for role in NBC cameraman's fall

The NFL has reprimanded the Patriots' chief of security, Mark Briggs, for his role that led to an NBC cameraman losing his feet in the postgame aftermath of last Sunday night's game in Indianapolis, according to a league source.

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NBC cameraman Peter Stendel had moved in for a close-up shot of Patriots coach Bill Belichick as he made his exit from the field when Stendel was encountered by Briggs, who pushed Stendel's hands in a downward motion. Stendel fell to the ground.

Stendel complained that he was pushed down by Briggs, but after reviewing videotape, the NFL determined the cause of his fall was inconclusive because it appeared Stendel was running out of cable to his camera.

Nevertheless, Briggs received a letter of reprimand to show more restraint, and TV networks were sent a memo asking that camera employees proceed with restraint, as well.

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Washington Redskins running back Ladell Betts out for season with torn ACL, MCL

Betts

Redskins backup running back Ladell Betts has been diagnosed with two torn ligaments in the knee he injured Sunday and will miss the rest of the season, a team source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

An MRI exam revealed Betts tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial cruciate ligament of his left knee when he was injured midway through the first quarter of Washington's 7-6 loss to the host Cowboys, the source said.

The MCL injury was orginally reported to be a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament.

The Redskins had already lost Clinton Portis for the Dallas game and next week against the Philadelphia Eagles with concussion-related symptoms.

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Redskins right guard Chad Rinehart, who broke his right leg early in the third quarter, was having surgery Monday morning and will be out for the year.

"It's just one of those things where someone else gets an opportunity," linebacker London Fletcher said. "They aren't going to cancel the game in Philadelphia because the Redskins aren't healthy."

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Source: Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu likely out for month

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is expected to be sidelined about a month with a strained ligament in his knee, a source close to the situation told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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Polamalu, who did not play in the Steelers' 27-24 overtime loss in Kansas City, injured a knee ligament while tackling Cincinnati's Cedric Benson last Sunday. He missed four games after hurting a different ligament during Pittsburgh's opener.

Polamalu's recent injury will not require surgery.

He wore a heavy brace as he watched practice this week.

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Brian Westbrook of Philadelphia Eagles to miss two to three games

Brian Westbrook is expected to miss at least two to three games as he recovers from his second concussion in 20 days, Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid said Friday.

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Westbrook, already out for Sunday's game against Chicago, was examined Wednesday by concussion specialists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. After that exam, Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Michael Collins said Westbrook was making encouraging progress and would be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.

Asked if that meant Westbrook would be sidelined for upcoming games against the Washington Redskins and the Atlanta Falcons, Reid said yes, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"I think the doctors want to see how he does after two weeks, what kind of symptoms he has, and then they'll just go back through and evaluate him after that -- two to three weeks," Reid said, according to the report. "We'll just see how he feels after that."

Westbrook was back at the Eagles' training facility Thursday but is not expected to resume activity until next week at the earliest, according to the report.

"We're backing off this week, just letting him rest," Reid said, according to the report. "Next week, he can start going to meetings and some things. We'll see how he feels as he goes."

Westbrook, a key element in the Eagles' offense, suffered a concussion Oct. 26 in a game against Washington. He sat out for two weeks, but suffered a second concussion Sunday in his return to the lineup at San Diego.

Rookie running back LeSean McCoy will start in Westbrook's absence.

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Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards plans appeal of roughness fine

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards plans to appeal the $5,000 fine he received for a hit delivered to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribbs on Monday night.

Edwards struck Cribbs with a forearm to the facemask on the final play of Baltimore's 16-0 win.

Edwards said Friday he will appeal in an effort "to get some of it back." He said the fine was levied because the hit came at a time when Cribbs "supposedly shouldn't have reasonably expected it."

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Cribbs was carted off the field and taken to the Cleveland Clinic for tests. He was released the following morning before returning to practice Thursday.

Cribbs spoke to Edwards on Tuesday and is convinced Edwards wasn't trying to injure him.

Earlier in the game, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was hurt on an illegal block by Browns quarterback Brady Quinn, who was fined $10,000 for unnecessary roughness.

Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan was fined $10,000 for trying to tackle an opponent by grabbing the facemask and unnecessary roughness for hitting an opponent late. Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck was fined $7,500 for unnecessary roughness for using a horse collar in tackling a running back.

Steelers linebacker James Harrison was fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness when he struck Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth late.

Jaguars defensive back Reggie Nelson was fined $7,500 for roughing Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez with a hit to the head area.

Green Bay Packers tight end Spencer Havner has been fined $5,000 for a late hit out of bounds during last week's 17-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Havner was flagged for a 15-yard penalty with 11:21 left in the first half for shoving defensive end Marcus Spears in the Cowboys' bench area at Lambeau Field.

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New York Giants LB Antonio Pierce out indefinitely with neck injury

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is out indefinitely after an MRI exam on Friday surprisingly revealed a bulging disk in his neck.

The Giants said their defensive captain underwent the test in New York and was examined by team physician Dr. Russell Warren and Dr. Frank Camissa, chief of the spinal surgical services at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

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The 31-year-old Pierce originally sustained a burner when the Giants played Arizona on Oct. 25. He had very little discomfort until practice this week, when the club's medical staff scheduled the MRI exam.

"I'm shocked with what I heard from the doctors this afternoon," Pierce said in a statement released by the Giants. "I had no idea that what happened a few weeks ago could keep me off the field. I didn't think it was that serious.

"I'm going to do everything the doctors tell me to do so I can get back out on the field as soon as possible."

The Giants (5-4) will host Atlanta on Sunday. New York, coming off its bye week, has lost four straight games.

He tweeted: "Thanks for ya support. Sorry to let ya down."

Pierce, in his ninth NFL year and fifth with the Giants, has 55 tackles one sack, and one forced fumble in nine games this season. He was looking forward to trying to help New York snap its losing streak on Sunday against the Falcons (5-4).

"This game means a lot to us," Pierce said earlier Friday. "For one, we need a win to get out of this four-game slump and, two, it will help us in the playoff hunt. We are tied for one of the wild card spots and you always want to win the head-to-head battles."

Pierce played in 15 games last season after appearing in all 16 contests each of the previous two seasons. He has led the Giants in tackles for the last three seasons and missed only four regular-season games since leaving the Washington Redskins to join the Giants.

He spent much of the past year in the spotlight after helping former teammate Plaxico Burress when the wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York nightclub.

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Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis visits concussion specialists

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis was at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on Friday to have his concussion evaluated.

Portis saw the same doctors who examined Eagles back Brian Westbrook, who has suffered two concussions in the last month. Portis was hurt two weeks ago against Atlanta. He did not play last week against Denver and has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Dallas.

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"We're going to make sure we take care of all the details. We're for Clinton getting well," coach Jim Zorn said. "Each day Clinton's done a great job of communicating how he's felt, and that's what it's going to take.

"I want to be involved with those conversations, not so much to see 'how fast can we get him back,' but just to make sure the young man is improving and getting better."

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is questionable for Sunday's game because of a sprained left ankle, although Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray said Friday on "The Michael Irvin Show" on ESPN FM 103.3 that Haynesworth would play.

Haynesworth, who has 42 total tackles -- three sacks -- and 19 quarterback hurries this season, was unable to practice this week. He tested his ankle on a treadmill on Friday.

If he takes the field, Haynesworth will be lining up across from Cowboys center Andre Gurode for the first time since 2006, when Haynesworth was suspended five games without pay for stomping on Gurode's forehead -- the longest suspension for an on-field infraction in league history.

The wound took 30 stitches to close.

Both Haynesworth and Gurode have insisted this week that the two players have since become friends.

"We have been talking and everything," Haynesworth said earlier this week via conference call. "We even went out together. So, yeah, we are cool."

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Head coach Wade Phillips wants to stay with the Cowboys

IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said he isn't worry about his job security because it's something he can't control.Phillips is in the last year of his contract but the team has an option for the 2010 season, something owner Jerry Jones hasn't committed to.

"That will come or it won't, those are the things later on that I don't think about," Phillips said. "I don't even worry about it now. I was pretty happy in San Diego when we were 14-2 and then I got this job and it's even better. I'm enjoying it."

As coach, Phillips is 76-52 including interim spots in New Orleans and Atlanta. He is 0-4 in the postseason, however.

Phillips understands the business. In three seasons with Buffalo, Phillips went 29-19 and was fired. It wasn't a surprise to him because his father, Bum, was fired as coach of the Houston Oilers after going 32-16 in his final three seasons as coach. Wade Phillips said he doesn't coach like he's under pressure to win because of these experiences.

"That's the way I coach, that's the way I've always coached," he said. "Way back when we went 10-6, 10-6, 11-5 and two AFC championship games and we got fired I realized that, hey you can do a great job and for whatever [reason] you can be gone. I stopped worrying about all that and worried about coaching and trying to do the best I can to help the team win and that's all I think about."

Minnesota coach Brad Childress, with one year left on his contact, received a three-year extension Thursday.

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Phillips, with his team at 6-3 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC East, said he doesn't worry about what other coaches are making and how it might affect his status.

"I'm not thinking about going anywhere either," Phillips said. "I've always been that way, my whole life, wherever we've been, I said we're going to be here the rest of our lives. Everywhere we've been, my kids can tell you that. I think we're going to stay there, but you realize in pro football how much it changes for whatever reason. It's all kinds of reasons and it's not necessarily how well you coach or what you do sometimes."

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Source: Coach Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings agree to contract extension

The Minnesota Vikings reached a contract extension with Brad Childress that will keep the coach with the team through the 2013 season, a source told ESPN.com Thursday.

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Financial terms weren't immediately available but it is believed to be between $4 million and $5 million a year, the source said. In 2006, Childress signed a five-year, $10 million contract, which was scheduled to expire after the 2010 season.

The Vikings are off to an 8-1 start with Brett Favre at quarterback. His record in Minnesota is 32-25. The Vikings made the playoffs last year and are trying to get the top seed in the NFC.

Both sides have been working on a deal for the past several months. The agreement came together Thursday morning.

As a team, the Vikings are loaded. They have 22 players on their roster who are in the top five in fan voting for the Pro Bowl.

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Cleveland Browns would give LeBron James a shot

BEREA, Ohio -- If LeBron James truly believes he can help the Cleveland Browns, coach Eric Mangini has an orange helmet waiting for him.

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"I think he should come on down," Mangini said, smiling. "I know he's pretty busy right now, but if he wants to give it a shot, the guy is gifted. He's competitive and tough. I'm sure whatever he applied himself to, he'd probably be good in baseball or soccer or swimming."

The NBA superstar, who was an all-state wide receiver in high school, said Tuesday night that if he put the time and commitment into it, he could be a good football player.

"If I put all my time and commitment into it, if I dedicated myself to the game of football, I could be really good," he said Tuesday night, "no matter what team I was on."

Mangini agreed, calling James "a freak athletically," and said the 6-foot-8, 250-pounder could be dangerous at tight end, wide receiver or even outside linebacker.

When the gist of Mangini's comments was relayed to James, he smiled -- but didn't take the bait.

"I had what I had to say, and that was it," James said before his Cavaliers played at the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

Quarterback Brady Quinn also heard about James' football interest. He would love to have a target like James to throw to in the red zone.

"That'd be great," Quinn said. "Tell him to suit up and let us know, we'll get him working. Obviously he's an incredibly talented athlete. If he wants to try to play a little bit now, we'd be more than willing to pick him up."

Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers isn't convinced James, as great as he is, could step into the NFL and be able to handle the pounding.

"I heard that comment," Rogers said. "I have mixed emotions about that. A great athlete? Yes. A football player? No."

Rogers then looked into TV cameras.

"Yeah LeBron, I said it," he said. "It's a punishing game. I just don't think you can step off the basketball court after not going through this year in and year out and just play football. From that standpoint, I just don't think it's possible. You have to weather and condition your body to take this punishment."

So what if James had a year to train? Could he do it then?

"Yeah, he might make a heckuva tight end," Rogers said. "I'd like to see him out there running down the seam."

James was an All-Ohio wide receiver at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School before quitting football after his junior year to focus on basketball. But he still follows the game closely and believes he could have been a hybrid tight end/receiver in the mold of San Diego's Antonio Gates or Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez.

Gates, who played basketball in college and not football, is listed at 6-4 and 260 pounds.

"They're not always lined up next to the tackle," James said. "Sometimes they go against strong safeties and linebackers. It's tough to match up with those guys because they're so athletic."

James filmed a commercial last year for an insurance company that depicted him in a No. 23 Browns jersey with "LeBron" stitched across the back.

He has no serious plans of returning to football, but said playing the two sports takes entirely different types of stamina.

"I'd be in football shape during football season, then I'd go to basketball and feel like I was out of shape," he said. "It's totally different. And another thing you have to get used to is getting hit again."

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Sources: Buffalo Bills contact Mike Shanahan about coaching opening

One day after firing Dick Jauron, the Buffalo Bills have wasted no time identifying a potential replacement.

Buffalo has contacted and is in the process of arranging a meeting with former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, according to two NFL sources.

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Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Broncos, is said to be willing to listen to the Bills. He has said in the past that he is determined to return to the NFL next season.

While Shanahan is viewed within the Bills' organization as a desired candidate, there are other names at or near the top of the team's wish list.

For now, the Bills have appointed defensive coordinator Perry Fewell as interim head coach. Fewell is well-respected within the organization and will be given every opportunity to earn the full-time job.

The Bills also will investigate options expected to include Florida Tuskers coach Jim Haslett and New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, both of whom have ties to the Bills.

Haslett played linebacker for Buffalo from 1979 to 1985. Gilbride was the Bills' offensive coordinator during 2002-03, when quarterback Drew Bledsoe had his most productive seasons with the team.

Another candidate on the Bills' radar is Marc Trestman, coach of the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes, who posted a CFL-best 15-3 regular-season record and are one win from the Grey Cup final. Ironically, Trestman once succeeded Shanahan as the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.

‘Monday Night Football’ analyst Jon Gruden agrees to multiyear contract extension with ESPNCruyff to coach Catalunya

Brady Quinn of Cleveland Browns fined by NFL for hit on Terrell Suggs of Baltimore Ravens

Browns quarterback Brady Quinn has been fined by the NFL for his chop-block on Baltimore's Terrell Suggs.

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Quinn, who said he received a letter from the league on Wednesday, would not disclose the size of the fine, but a league source tells ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter the amount is $10,000.

A league source tells ESPN's Michael Smith that an MRI exam showed Suggs suffered a severe MCL sprain in his right knee from Quinn's block on Monday night. There is no definitive timetable for Suggs' return, but he is expected to miss at least the next couple of weeks, the source said.

Suggs' agent, Gary Wichard, told the Carroll County Times he fears his client could miss the rest of the season.

Quinn insists he was not trying to hurt Suggs and has apologized to him and the Ravens. He understands why the Ravens were mad and can appreciate them questioning his intentions.

"I can see why they'd be upset," he said. "But again, he wasn't even in my vision. I was trying to get to the ball. He cut across my face as I was already try to jump down for the tackle."

The Ravens were fuming over the hit. Quinn threw the chop-block at Suggs after an interception in the third quarter, rolling into his right knee.

After the game, Quinn said the chop-block came as he was trying to get at cornerback Chris Carr, who intercepted the football, and that he had no intention of hurting Suggs. But Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said after the game that he thought Quinn should pay a significant fine for the hit.

"Heck yeah, it was a cheap shot, when you're running down and you're looking at the quarterback going at somebody's knees who doesn't even have the ball," Lewis said. "I want to see if he gets the same fine I got or even higher. Now this man [Suggs] is out four or five weeks because of some baloney like that."

Lewis was fined $25,000 earlier this season for a pair of hits in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

After the game, Quinn said he was sorry.

"I was trying to go for the ball carrier," he said. "Suggs came across at the last second in my vision. I would never wish that upon anyone. I was upset about it on the field. We worked out in Arizona together. I couldn't be any more sorry about that. That was never the intent. I'm sorry to Terrell and the rest of their team."

"You just don't do that," San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips told ESPN's "First Take" on Wednesday, saying Quinn should be fined $50,000.

Wichard wasn't buying Quinn's explanation of how he came to hit Suggs.

"That cat should be fined as much as anybody is fined that hits the quarterback," Wichard said, according to the Carroll County Times. "That's ridiculous. I don't understand what he was trying to do. It was blatant. It's absolutely criminal. It's about as nasty as it gets.

"The guy had total control and went right for his knee. You can't call that an accident. It was premeditated. The quarterback zeroed in on Terrell's knee. That's absurd. The ball carrier was right in front of him," he said, according to the report.

Browns coach Eric Mangini believes Quinn was only trying to tackle Carr.

"Knowing Brady, he's a good person," Mangini said. "I don't think he would ever look to hurt someone deliberately."

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday on his radio show that he doubts Quinn had malicious intent. But that doesn't change that it was an illegal hit, he said, according to The Baltimore Sun.

"There is no question that it's beyond the rules. It's absolutely illegal. I'm sure Brady knows that," Harbaugh said, according to the report. "I don't think for one second that he's trying to hurt Terrell Suggs. But he's got to be better than that in that situation. You can't let that happen."

Quinn isn't the first quarterback to have to pay up for a low hit. Brett Favre of the Minnesota Vikings was fined $10,000 for throwing a crackback block in a preseason game against the Houston Texans.

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Source: Minnesota Vikings' Brad Childress close to extension

A contract extension for Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress that many thought would be done during the team's recent bye week will be done soon, according to a source close to the situation.

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Childress has one more year on his contract after this season. He has helped bring quarterback Brett Favre out of retirement and lead the Vikings to an 8-1 record that is good enough for first place in the NFC North.

Since he arrived in Minnesota in 2006, Childress has helped improve the Vikings' win totals in each of his seasons there from six in 2006, to eight in 2007, to 10 last season, to the eight that Minnesota now has after nine games.

Minnesota is in the running for home-field advantage in the playoffs, Childress should be in the running for the NFL Coach of the Year, and he soon will be rewarded for it.

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Cincinnati Bengals sign Larry Johnson

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson signed a one-year contract Tuesday morning with the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Because NFL veteran contracts are guaranteed at the start of the regular season, Johnson will collect $4 million from the Chiefs and earn an additional $255,290 from the Bengals, the veteran minimum for the remainder of this season.

Money was not an issue for Johnson to sign with the Bengals. It was the opportunity to continue playing this season that convinced him to sign.

Johnson flew to Cincinnati on Monday to meet with the Bengals. Coach Marvin Lewis has told Johnson, who was released by the Chiefs, that he would be fourth on the team's depth chart at running back.

Starter Cedric Benson, who strained a hip muscle in Sunday's win in Pittsburgh that left the Bengals (7-2) in control of the AFC North, is expected to practice on a limited basis this week. Lewis said there's a chance he could play Sunday in Oakland.

The Chiefs released Johnson last Monday, the day he was due back from his second (two-week) suspension in the past 12 months. His last brush with controversy occurred two weeks ago, when he posted on his Twitter account a gay slur, insulted followers and questioned the competence of Chiefs coach Todd Haley.

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Kansas City Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe suspended four games

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing substances.

Bowe

Bowe's suspension, which begins immediately, has to do with the use of diuretics; he was trying to lose weight during training camp, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Bowe will not appeal the suspension.

The Chiefs said Tuesday they would have no further comment. Bowe will be eligible to return to the active roster on Dec. 14 following their Week 14 game against Buffalo.

Bowe has been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for the Chiefs (2-7). He leads the team with 33 catches, including six catches for 91 yards last weekend in a victory at Oakland. He also had a season-high 109 yards in the Chiefs' other win, at Washington.

The 25-year-old Bowe is in his third year in the NFL, all with Kansas City. He was a first-round draft pick in 2007 out of LSU, where his 26 touchdown receptions are a school record.

In his 40-game NFL career, he has 189 catches for 2,483 yards (13.1 ypc) and 16 TDs.

The Chiefs are coming off a 16-10 victory over the Raiders heading into a home game against Pittsburgh. Kansas City has won just five of its past 35 games.

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NFL fines Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams $250K for flipping his middle fingers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The NFL has fined Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams $250,000 for making an obscene gesture at Buffalo fans while celebrating Tennessee's victory over the Bills.

Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Adams of the fine Monday. League spokesman Greg Aiello said it is for conduct detrimental to the NFL. Adams was seen making the gesture while in his luxury suite and again on the field after Sunday's 41-17 victory.

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Wade PayneTitans owner Bud Adams, 86, rides off the field Sunday in Nashville after a 41-17 win over the Bills.

The NFL fined former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo $1 million after he pleaded guilty to a felony and suspended him for the 1999 season.

Since then, the biggest fine handed down by the NFL to an individual was $500,000 to New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick for the Spygate scandal. The league also fined the New York Jets and former coach Eric Mangini $125,000 in September for violating its rules on injury reporting with Brett Favre last season.

The 86-year-old Adams apologized in a statement, saying: "I need to apologize for my actions yesterday near the end of the game. I got caught up in the excitement of a great day, but I do realize that those types of things shouldn't happen. I need to specifically apologize to the Bills, their fans, our fans and the NFL.

"I obviously have a great deal of respect for [Bills owner] Ralph Wilson and the history we have shared. I also understand there will probably be league discipline for my actions and I will accept those."

Adams and Wilson are original owners from the American Football League, and Sunday's game was a legacy game with both teams wearing throwback uniforms. Wilson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, and their teams share a history of emotional playoff games, including the Music City Miracle in January 2000.

Goodell was at the game, after having breakfast with Adams. The league said that Goodell left Adams' suite at the end of the third quarter and spent the fourth quarter sitting with fans in the end zone before leaving the stadium.

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Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he knew that Adams had been excited for this game because of the 50th anniversary of the AFL and because Wilson was coming in for it.

"They're close. There's been some tremendous matchups over the years between the two clubs. The playoff loss there, the Music City Miracle here ... There's a great deal of history here. I know this was a game he'd been looking forward to," Fisher said.

Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan, whose fellow defensive backs Vincent Fuller and Roderick Hood scored the last two touchdowns with interception returns in the final three minutes, said he was all for it if Adams was enjoying himself.

"I don't know if he did it, but I condone fun things," Finnegan said, according to The Tennessean. "If he was having fun doing it, then by all means, do what you do."

Adams can be seen in a YouTube video flashing the hook 'em sign of the Texas Longhorns, whom Titans quarterback Vince Young played for, before extending each hand with the middle finger individually, then together, after pointing toward the Bills' sideline.

The Tennessean reported Adams was seen making the gesture again on the field after the game.

Buffalo defensive tackle Marcus Stroud saw footage of Adams on TV but didn't care.

"He owns that team and Mr. Wilson owns our team. That's about the gist of it, as far as it goes with me. It's not like he can come down and strap up and put on any pads or anything like that. It doesn't bother me. If that's what he wants to do, go for it," Stroud said.

Titans linebacker Stephen Tulloch said Adams' presence was an encouraging sign.

"He is a cool owner and it is good to see him around here supporting us," Tulloch said, according to the Nashville newspaper. "To have an owner like that, it's cool."

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Tila Tequila files suit vs. Shawne Merriman

Reality TV personality Tila Tequila has filed a lawsuit against Shawne Merriman over assault accusations from a September incident for which the San Diego Chargers linebacker wasn't charged with a crime.

In September, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis dismissed Tequila's accusations that Merriman choked her and threw her to the ground while she was trying to leave his suburban home.

Merriman

Tequila

According to TMZ.com, Tequila seeks damages for assault, battery, false imprisonment and emotional distress. Tequila's lawyer, Cyrus Nownejad, is citing photos showing bruises Tequila allegedly suffered from the incident at Merriman's home.

Merriman was arrested after Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

Dumanis decided not to charge Merriman after her office spent three days reviewing reports from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

"After a thorough review of the investigation into the Sept. 6, 2009, incident at the Poway home of Shawne Merriman, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed," Dumanis said in a statement. "This case is now closed. No further comment will be made."

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila's affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men's magazines.

Merriman said he was trying to keep Tequila from leaving his home because she appeared to be intoxicated and denied harming her.

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Source: Larry Johnson expects to sign with Cincinnati Bengals

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was en route to Cincinnati on Monday and, barring a last-minute breakdown, he expects to sign with the AFC North-leading Bengals, a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN's Michael Smith.

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A deal, if consummated, is expected to be for the prorated league minimum. Coach Marvin Lewis said Monday that Johnson would be fourth on the team's depth chart at running back.

"That's what his role would be, it would be as a fourth running back and an opportunity as a backup player on this football team doing all the things backup players do, and that's work their tails off in the kicking game and showing looks [on the scout team] and so forth that way," Lewis said. "And then he would be an insurance policy if something would happen down the line to one of our guys where he'd have a chance to be active.

"But I couldn't foresee him being active when he was initially here, if this is what happens. And that's what I've told him."

The Bengals, along with several other teams, first expressed interest in Johnson last week as depth behind Cedric Benson, who strained a hip muscle in Sunday's 18-12 win in Pittsburgh that left the Bengals (7-2) in control of the AFC North.

Benson is expected to practice on a limited basis this week. Lewis said there's a chance he could play Sunday in Oakland.

Lewis assured Benson that the Bengals' interest in Johnson would have no effect on his status as the primary runner. Lewis said he first spoke with Johnson by phone last Thursday, before Benson's injury.

"I had a chance to visit with Cedric about this, that it doesn't affect him -- zero," Lewis said. "This was under way last week, so Cedric [being injured] in the game had no effect on this thing."

The Chiefs released Johnson last Monday, the day he was due back from his second (two-week) suspension in the past 12 months. His last brush with controversy came two weeks ago when he posted on his Twitter account a gay slur, insulted followers and questioned the competence of head coach Todd Haley.

Since rushing for a team-record 1,789 yards on an NFL-record 416 carries in 2006, Johnson was never quite the same in Kansas City.

In 2008, then-coach Herm Edwards benched him for three straight games for violating team rules and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him a fourth game for violating the league's player conduct policy.

Johnson was later sentenced to two years' probation after pleading guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace. One woman accused him of throwing a drink on her and another said he had pushed her head at a Kansas City nightspot.

After his huge year in '06, Johnson stayed away from training camp, demanding more money, and he got it, a six-year deal worth $45 million, including $19 million guaranteed.

But hampered by a foot injury, he wound up with only 559 yards and three touchdowns. In 2008, he ran for 874 yards as the Chiefs sank to 2-14. Still, Johnson was only 75 yards away from breaking Priest Holmes' team rushing record when the team let him go.

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Dallas Cowboys right tackle Marc Colombo will have ankle surgery

IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys starting right tackle Marc Colombo will undergo surgery Monday to repair ligaments on his left ankle after suffering a high ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

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Colombo also has a fracture on his fibula near his left knee that doesn't need surgery. Cowboys officials said the recovery time for the fibula injury is six weeks.

Recovery time for the ankle has not been determined, and owner and general manager Jerry Jones had said Colombo is out for the season.

The Cowboys are hopeful Colombo can return at some point, especially if the team makes a deep playoff run.

In other injury news, starting cornerback Mike Jenkins underwent an MRI on his left biceps Monday. Jenkins said his arm feels fine, but he didn't know the results of the MRI.

Also, kicker David Buehler was limping in the locker room Monday. He said he hurt the little toe on his right foot while covering a punt.

"I'll be able to kick," Buehler said. "It hurts like hell."

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Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams celebrates win by flipping Buffalo Bills the bird

Played in front of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the significance of their 41-17 victory Sunday over the Buffalo Bills wasn't lost on the Tennessee Titans.

Owner Bud Adams even got in on the act.

The 86-year-old Adams was seen throwing an emphatic series of middle fingers from a luxury suite at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn., after the Titans (3-6) had secured the blowout over the Bills (3-6), which included 24 straight points in the fourth quarter.

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According to The Associated Press, the NFL was looking into the hand gestures Monday.

Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan, whose fellow defensive backs Vincent Fuller and Roderick Hood scored the last two touchdowns with interception returns in the final three minutes, said he was all for it if Adams was enjoying himself.

"I don't know if he did it, but I condone fun things," Finnegan said, according to The Tennessean. "If he was having fun doing it, then by all means, do what you do."

Adams can be seen in a YouTube video flashing the hook 'em sign of the Texas Longhorns, who Titans quarterback Vince Young played for, before extending each hand with the middle finger individually, then together, after pointing toward the Bills' sideline.

The Tennessean reported Adams was seen making the gesture again on the field after the game.

Titans linebacker Stephen Tulloch said Adams' presence was an encouraging sign.

"He is a cool owner and it is good to see him around here supporting us," Tulloch said, according to the Nashville newspaper. "To have an owner like that, it's cool."

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams tells coach Jeff Fisher he wants Vince Young to start

'Monday Night Football' analyst Jon Gruden agrees to multiyear contract extension with ESPN

ESPN "Monday Night Football" analyst and former longtime NFL coach Jon Gruden has agreed to a multiyear extension with the network.

Gruden

Gruden, who joined ESPN in September to replace Tony Kornheiser in the MNF booth, will also appear on ESPN's Super Bowl week and NFL Draft coverage, will call the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl and will serve as an analyst for ESPN Radio's 2010 Rose Bowl and BCS title game broadcasts, where he will again team with MNF play-by-play caller Mike Tirico.

"Working with Mike, [Ron Jaworski] and our entire Monday Night Football team is the most fun I have had in years, and I am fired up to make this long-term commitment to ESPN," Gruden said in a statement. "Monday Night Football is special and I look forward to remaining a part of it and continuing to call these great games."

Gruden, fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 16, was the winningest coach in Bucs history (60-57 in seven seasons) and led Tampa Bay to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII. He also has coached the Oakland Raiders.

"Jon has truly reinvented himself, from a Super Bowl-winning head coach to one of the foremost NFL analysts in the business, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive," said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president of production. "We are thrilled with his commitment to ESPN, which ensures that Jon will continue on Monday Night Football with Mike and Jaws, and he will have the opportunity to do even more with ESPN."

Gruden began his NFL coaching career in 1990 when Mike Holmgren, then offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, hired him as an assistant in charge of quality control. Gruden quickly ascended through the ranks by learning the famed West Coast offense pioneered by longtime 49ers coach Bill Walsh.

When Holmgren left the 49ers to become head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1992, he named Gruden the Packers' wide receivers coach. After three seasons in Green Bay, Gruden moved on to become the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator under head coach Ray Rhodes. In 1998, Gruden was chosen by Oakland owner and general manager Al Davis to be the Raiders' new head coach at age 34.

A native of Sandusky, Ohio, Gruden grew up in a football family. His father, Jim, served as an assistant at Notre Dame in the late 1970s and later with the Buccaneers. Gruden graduated from the University of Dayton, where he was a backup quarterback. After graduation, he started his career as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 1986. He also served as the quarterbacks coach at Southeast Missouri State (1987-88) and the wide receivers coach at both Pacific (1989) and Pittsburgh (1991) in the college ranks.

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Atlanta Falcons' Michael Turner sprains ankle after strong start

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner went to the locker room after spraining his right ankle against Carolina.

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Turner rolled the ankle when he was tackled at the end of a 10-yard run that gave him 111 yards on just nine carries. He took off his shoe and walked around some before heading inside.

He did not return in Atlanta's 28-19 loss.

The injury left Atlanta short-handed in the backfield. Backup Jerious Norwood was inactive with a hip injury and Aaron Stecker was released Saturday. Jason Snelling ran for a 1-yard TD after Turner left.

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Source: NFL unlikely to discipline Oakland Raiders' Tom Cable

Unless other facts emerge, the NFL is not expected to discipline Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable for the assault allegations that a former wife and girlfriend levied against him, a league source has said.

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However, the league has directed Cable into a clinical evaluation process to determine whether further action is necessary due to conditions such as anger management or substance abuse.

Historically, the NFL has not disciplined people when law enforcement has studied the incident and determined there is not enough evidence to proceed with the case. In the case of the alleged assaults against women previously in his life, no charges were filed against Cable, nor were any civil cases brought against him.

What's notable about this is that legal experts said California is protective of its complaining witnesses and has an extremely low tolerance level for domestic abuse.

The league has investigated the incidents involving Cable and will continue to do so. But it sounded as if a chapter of a book was about to be closed.

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Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano decides to sit LB Joey Porter vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

MIAMI -- Joey Porter won't be making any tackles this week, either.

Less than 24 hours before kickoff, the Miami Dolphins' outspoken linebacker was ruled out of Sunday's game against Tampa Bay because of a coach's decision. The Dolphins didn't give any information about the reason for the move Saturday by coach Tony Sparano.

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Porter made no tackles in last week's loss to the New England Patriots after calling them cheaters and saying he hated them. New England quarterback Tom Brady said his team was inspired by Porter's comments.

Porter has been slowed most of the season by a sore right hamstring. The four-time Pro Bowl player sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday but participated in full drills Friday.

Porter has only 2 sacks this season, compared with an AFC-high 17 last year. The usually talkative linebacker declined to talk to local reporters this week, but following Friday's practice, Sparano praised Porter's attitude.

"I see no frustration," Sparano said. "What I do see is a guy that's played in enough football games to know, 'There are some things I need to do better out there.' There are a lot of things that people say about Joey that are not always favorable, but one of the good things about Joey is the guy's a pretty good pro. He takes it personally. The guy cares."

Porter missed a game Oct. 4 against Buffalo because of his injury. The Dolphins will likely start Charlie Anderson or Matt Roth in his place against the Buccaneers.

Miami guard Justin Smiley and tight end Anthony Fasano were inactive as well.

Smiley missed practice this week with a shoulder injury. Fasano has been bothered by a sore hip.

Reserve defensive linemen Paul Soliai (ankle) and linebacker Joey Porter (coach's decision) were also inactive.

Nate Garner started for Smiley, Kory Sperry started for Fasano, and Charlie Anderson started for Porter.

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Cincinnati Bengals' Chad Ochocinco fined $20K for attempted 'bribe'

Chad Ochocinco has been fined $20,000 by the NFL for flashing a dollar bill at an official during a replay challenge -- a joking attempt at what the Bengals receiver referred to as a "bribe" -- in last Sunday's Cincinnati-Baltimore game.

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In the third quarter of the Bengals' eventual victory, Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer completed a 15-yard pass to Ochocinco. Baltimore challenged the call, contending that he was out of bounds, and the Ravens won the challenge.

While the play was under review, Ochocinco held a $1 bill at his side. The official appeared aware of his antic and waved him off.

"I was just being me," Ochocinco told the NFL Network after the game. "I wasn't going to do it for real."

According to a league spokesman, Ray Anderson, the league's executive vice president of football operations, fined Ochocinco for violating a rule that "prohibits use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures toward game officials. He was also in violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (f) of the Playing Rules which prohibits possession or use of extraneous objects that are not part of the uniform during the game on the field or sideline."

Ochocinco

The NFL also cited Ochocinco using the word "bribe" in his postgame comments to reporters.

"You don't mess around with the integrity of the game," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Friday. "It's not a matter for jokes. Chad crossed a line there, and I told him he has to understand that. I think he does now."

Elaborating on the league's decision, a high-ranking NFL official who requested anonymity told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that "essentially [in Ochocinco's postgame comment] he made an admission against his own interest. The integrity of the game is critical to us. Making light of bribing and gambling will not be taken lightly. His action in itself merited the fine but he acknowledged by his comments that he knew what he was doing."

The person who handed Ochocinco the dollar bill was an independent contractor hired by CBS to assist with the game's broadcast. A league source said that individual was admonished but would not be prohibited from further working for a network because he was not specifically aware of Ochocinco's stunt.

In a letter to Ochocinco, Anderson said, "The very appearance of impropriety is not acceptable. Your conduct was unprofessional and unbecoming an NFL player."

In response to the fine, Rock Software Inc., the company that made Ochocinco's iPhone application, said it will donate an additional $20,000 in the receiver's name to the Hillview Acres home for abused children in Chino, Calif.

John Shahidi, the company's president and CEO, has assisted the home, and Palmer hosts an annual golf tournament that has raised more than $400,000 for the home. .

On his Twitter account Friday morning, Ochocinco continued to poke fun, tweeting: "Barrack I've just been fined again, can we meet to set up a fun rule please. I can't go to mcdonalds for 2 weeks now."

Baltimore Ravens’ Ray Lewis fined for hit on Cincinnati Bengals’ Chad OchocincoNiguez has no regrets

Agent: Larry Johnson won't sign deal before Monday

Don't expect Larry Johnson to play in Week 10.

Johnson's agent said late Thursday afternoon the running back will not sign with a new team before Monday.

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"We're going to let this weekend's games happen and go from there," agent Peter Schaffer said. "We're making good progress with some teams. But we're not going to rush into a bad deal. We'll see what happens Monday. If he isn't signed by Monday, then we'll continue to monitor the situation."

The Kansas City Chiefs (1-7) released Johnson on Monday, the day he was due back from his second suspension in the past 12 months. Johnson was suspended for posting a gay slur on his Twitter account and questioning the competence of head coach Todd Haley.

Johnson went unclaimed Tuesday, making him an unrestricted free agent and the Chiefs must pay him the balance of the $2.1 million left on his contract this season.

Johnson, who turns 30 in a week, was averaging 2.7 yards per carry this season. Johnson winds up his Chiefs career with 5,996 yards rushing and 55 touchdowns. He also caught 151 passes for 1,369 yards and six TDs.

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Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo 'comfortable' with Roy Williams

IRVING, Texas -- One week later, everything's fine for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Roy Williams.

"I was comfortable with him a week ago," Romo said Thursday. "It's about improving every day. [Just] because in the game it looked better, it didn't mean that we hadn't been practicing a certain way or that we weren't improving on the practice field."

Romo and Williams finally seemed to develop a connection during Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, with the receiver catching five passes for 75 yards.

It was the most catches in a game for Williams since the Cowboys dealt three draft picks to the Detroit Lions for him last October.

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Last week, Romo and Williams worked after practice to help improve their chemistry after Williams had voiced his frustrations publicly. During games this season, Williams said Romo threw better passes to the team's other receivers, and passes to Williams were either high or behind him.

How Williams got out of his breaks, Romo's trust in him and defensive coverages were other issues.

Before Sunday's game, Romo had completed just 14 out of 37 passes to Williams, while the quarterback had better numbers with tight end Jason Witten (37-48), receiver Miles Austin (26-72) and Patrick Crayton (20-39).

"For me, I practice at the same tempo in practice that I do in the game," Romo said. "So if I'm doing it out there and I'm seeing things out there, I expect it to be the same in the game. That's what I believe, that's how I've always practiced and that's how I believe you can get better."

Williams said his comfort level is getting better with Romo. The emergence of Austin -- who has six touchdowns in the last four weeks -- has forced defenses to pay attention to him. The Eagles tried to slow Austin down, holding the receiver without a catch until his 49-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

The extra work in practice and Austin getting more defensive attention might open the door for Williams to produce more.

This Sunday, the Packers host the Cowboys and they have an aggressive set of corners in Al Harris and Charles Woodson.

"You have to understand, my catches were all slants," Williams said. "It really wasn't nothing else. That's a good starting point for us. We'll only get better, and we'll see what happens this Sunday."

Dallas Cowboys receiver Roy Williams unhappy, says he, Tony Romo not on same pageMarchena worried by injury