Broncos’ Lynch draws first fine of ‘04

John Lynch saw the next-day-mail envelope in his locker and knew the news wasn’t good.

The Denver Broncos safety had the distinction of being the first player to draw a fine from the NFL this season, when the league sent him a letter Wednesday demanding $7,500 for a hard hit on Kansas City receiver Dante Hall in the opener.

“I’m going to let the appeal process begin today,” said Lynch, who has a reputation for being one of the hardest hitters at the hardest-hitting position in football.

Lynch drew the fine for a hard blow just below Hall’s facemask as the receiver sprawled out to catch a ball over the middle. The hit came after it was fairly clear the ball couldn’t be caught, although it’s hard to know if Lynch could have pulled up to avoid contact in time.

Stoutmire out for season with knee injury

New York Giants free safety Omar Stoutmire is going to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Stoutmire, who started every game the last two years only to lose his job this season to Brent Alexander, tore an anterior cruciate ligament Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Coach Tom Coughlin did not say which knee was injured, but that Stoutmire would be placed on injured reserve.

McKenzie returns to Green Bay

Cornerback Mike McKenzie returned to the Green Bay Packers after holding out throughout training camp and missing the season opener.

“Mike McKenzie is back here to play for the Packers, and that is where we are right now. We will take it one day at a time,” coach and general manager Mike Sherman said.

McKenzie, with his familiar dreadlocks flowing to his shoulders, practiced with the team Wednesday as the Packers prepared for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears in Green Bay.

Sherman said McKenzie’s contract has not been reworked, and the team has two weeks to activate him to play.

Sherman met with McKenzie and his agent at their request — just two days after the Packers opened the season by overpowering defending NFC champion Carolina 24-14.

“It looked like he had been training and was in shape and that’s a positive thing. We are going to try to get him ready as soon as possible,” Sherman said.

Roethlisberger injures right knee during practice

Ben Roethlisberger injured his right knee during a passing drill at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice field.

Roethlisberger had rolled to his left before lofting a long pass during the practice, but collapsed after throwing the ball. He limped to the sideline and onto a cart and was taken in for X-rays.

The Steelers said the injury was a bone contusion.

The Steelers have not made a determination on Roethlisberger’s status for Sunday’s game at Baltimore. The first-round draft pick will be evaluated today.

Ivan could affect Saints-49ers game

The San Francisco 49ers’ game Sunday in New Orleans could be moved or even postponed because of Hurricane Ivan.

Though the game is expected to be played as scheduled, the Superdome is being used as a shelter for those who didn’t join the 1.2 million people fleeing the storm.

The Saints have moved their base of operations to San Antonio for the week — and in a worst-case scenario, the game could be played there in the Alamodome.

•Defensive end Dennis Johnson signed with the 49ers, 10 days after getting being cut by Arizona.

Johnson, a third-year pro from Kentucky, started nine games last season, getting three sacks. He will help fill the 49ers’ void of talent and experience on the line, particularly while starting end Andre Carter is sidelined by a back injury.

The 49ers also waived tight end Matt Ware.