NFL fines Favre for illegal block
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was fined $10,000 by the NFL on Friday for his crack-back block on Houston defensive back Eugene Wilson in a preseason game.
The play happened on Monday night at Houston in Favre’s first extensive action since he signed with the Vikings on Aug. 18.
The 39-year-old lined up at receiver in Minnesota’s version of the wildcat offense. Rookie receiver Percy Harvin took the snap and started running around the left end in Favre’s direction. Despite playing with sore ribs, the quarterback crouched and threw his body at Wilson’s legs to cut him down.
The game was televised nationally and the block caused an uproar in Houston and elsewhere around the league. Wilson injured his left knee on the play and defensive players have long considered that type of block a dirty play.
Favre had only been practicing for 14 days since ending his second retirement to join the Vikings. He said he wasn’t trying to injure Wilson and was only trying to help Harvin on the run, and knock off a little rust.
“I will be 40 years old in October and (was) weed-eating 13 days ago,” Favre said. “I wasn’t thinking about throwing blocks.”
Around the league
Chicago running back Kevin Jones will miss the season after tearing ligaments in his left ankle in the preseason finale Thursday against Cleveland. … Buffalo offensive coordinator Turk Schonert has been fired after the offense’s dismal performance in the preseason. Quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt will take over. … Undrafted rookie quarterback Brian Hoyer is Tom Brady ’s only backup, at least for now. New England trimmed its quarterbacks to two on the depth chart by releasing Andrew Walter. … Saints tight end Billy Miller tore his right Achilles tendon during New Orleans’ final preseason game Thursday night against Miami, likely ending his season.
Preseason
Texans 27, Buccaneers 20: At Tampa, Fla., former Chicago Bears starter Rex Grossman threw two touchdown passes and also produced a pair of field goals, pacing Houston’s victory over Tampa Bay and possibly earning a backup job behind Matt Schaub and Dan Orlovsky.
Cowboys 35, Vikings 31: At Minneapolis, Minnesota’s preseason finale did nothing to help coach Brad Childress clear up his murky backup quarterback situation.
Tarvaris Jackson played well but only attempted four passes, and Sage Rosenfels threw an ugly interception in a loss to Dallas.
Chargers 26, 49ers 7: At San Diego, Billy Volek threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Kassim Osgood and the Chargers beat San Francisco.
San Diego inside linebacker Kevin Burnett sustained a stinger less than 5 minutes into the game and didn’t return.