Fighting Bears fined $50K apiece
Chicago Bears offensive linemen Olin Kreutz and Fred Miller were fined $50,000 each Friday for a fight that violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The players were involved in the fight last month at the FBI shooting range in the Chicago area, prompting an internal investigation by the bureau.
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue fined Kreutz and Miller because the league’s special conduct policy addresses off-field matters. It specifically prohibits conduct that endangers NFL employees and casts a negative light on the league and its players.
Kreutz broke Miller’s jaw during the altercation. Miller, who needed surgery, originally claimed he was hurt in a fall at home. Bears coach Lovie Smith was unaware of the fight until days after it occurred.
Kreutz said he would appeal.
Miller declined comment. Smith said it was a league punishment.
Neither player was suspended.
Jags’ Taylor will return Sunday
Jaguars running back Fred Taylor will play against Indianapolis on Sunday after missing three of the past four games because of an ankle injury, but starting center Brad Meester’s biceps injury will force him to miss the rest of the season.
Jags coach Jack Del Rio said Taylor would be activated for the first time since the Tennessee game on Nov. 20. Del Rio did not indicate whether Taylor would start the game.
Taylor has rushed for more than 100 yards in three of the last four meetings between the Jaguars (9-3) and Colts (12-0).
“It’s good to have him back. He’s practiced well this week,” Del Rio said of the club’s career rushing leader. “Certainly, he’s another weapon for us.”
Meester was placed on injured reserve with the biceps injury he suffered Sunday against Cleveland. He is set to have surgery Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala. The Jaguars promoted center Brett Romberg from the practice squad to take Meester’s spot on the active roster.
Top running backs ail
San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson and Buffalo’s Willis McGahee are expected to play Sunday despite injuries, but the Jets’ Curtis Martin’s status has been downgraded
Tomlinson practiced for the first time this week as the Chargers continued preparations for Sunday’s home game against the Miami Dolphins.
Tomlinson, the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher, bruised his chest in Sunday night’s victory over the Oakland Raiders. Tomlinson said he doesn’t anticipate the ailment slowing him Sunday as the Chargers (8-4) go for their sixth straight win.
The Bills’ McGahee didn’t practice because of an illness. McGahee wasn’t added to the injury report, and coach Mike Mularkey said he believes McGahee will be fine when Buffalo (4-8) plays host to New England (7-5) Sunday.
Martin was downgraded to questionable with a sore right knee and will be a game-time decision against Oakland this weekend.
Martin, who has played nearly all season with the injury, had been listed as probable for Sunday’s game. But he missed practice this week with soreness. The 32-year-old Martin last missed a game in 1998, and has missed only four in his 11-year career.
Knowing Martin, he most likely will play.
“It would be the first time he didn’t show up for one since I’ve been here,” coach Herman Edwards said.
Extra points
Washington linebacker LaVar Arrington missed practice again because of a bruised right thigh and most likely will not play against Arizona. Leading receiver Santana Moss returned to practice and is expected to play. Moss strained his hamstring during Wednesday’s workout and sat out Thursday. … Offensive tackle Orlando Brown was placed on injured reserve by Baltimore because of recurring back problems from an auto accident. … Atlanta placed former starting receiver Dez White on injured reserve because of a sprained knee, a move expected to end his stay with the team.