NFL cracks down on flagrants

The NFL has told its officiating crews to start ejecting players for flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits.

The new policy was outlined Saturday in a memo from supervisor of officials Mike Pereira, which was obtained by the Associated Press. It followed two fines last weekend for what the officiating department had determined were hits against players in defenseless positions.

One fine was against Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry, who will forfeit a game check of $16,764 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens. The other was against Philadelphia defensive tackle LeJuan Ramsey, who was fined his game check of $21,176 for spearing Dallas’ Julius Jones.

Two weeks ago, San Diego cornerback Drayton Florence was fined $15,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit that gave Houston quarterback Matt Schaub a concussion.

“Officials will be reminded this week to pay strict attention to these rules and disqualify the fouling player if the action is judged to be flagrant,” Pereira wrote in the memo sent to the 32 NFL teams. “Actions that involve flagrant helmet to helmet contact are the likely acts that will include disqualification. Our commissioner and this office remain very focused on the safety of our players.”

In the memo fining Landry and Ramsey, NFL director of football operations Gene Washington said emphasis would be on hits against players in defenseless positions.

Landry previously was fined $7,500 for two unnecessary roughness violations on Oct. 21 against Arizona. Ramsey was fined $5,000 on Oct. 14 for roughing the passer against the Jets.

After Florence was fined, the Texans complained that the punishment wasn’t severe enough.

Williamson will get last check

Grieving Troy Williamson will get his last paycheck after all.

Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress announced the change of heart after a weekly meeting with veteran players on his leadership committee.

The Vikings withheld Williamson’s check after he missed the game against San Diego last week to remain in South Carolina following the death of his grandmother.

“I think the important thing is everybody grieves differently,” Childress said. “That’s the thing that I learned, or we learned, in this. In the end, it’s not important to be right, but to get it right.”

In addition, Williamson’s older brother Carlton has been in and out of coma after a car accident in September.

Williamson thanked those who spoke up for him and offered support to his family during a trying time. He said he’ll donate the returned check of more than $25,000 to charity in honor of his grandmother, Celestine.

Panthers sign Olson to active roster

Concerned over the status of Vinny Testaverde, the Carolina Panthers promoted quarterback Drew Olson to the 53-man roster to possibly serve as the backup in today’s game against Atlanta.

If Testaverde, who has a sore right Achilles tendon, can’t play against the Falcons, undrafted rookie Matt Moore would start. With David Carr (concussion) ruled out of the game and Jake Delhomme (elbow) out for the season, Olson would be the Panthers’ only option after Moore.

Olson was signed to the practice squad Tuesday and has never played in an NFL game. The former UCLA quarterback spent last season on Baltimore’s practice squad.

To make room on the roster Saturday, the Panthers waived fullback Billy Latsko.

Testaverde, who turns 44 on Tuesday, is listed as questionable.