Fox won’t return

As John Fox left the practice field Friday, he insisted he’s known about his impending departure for about two years.

A few hours later, the Carolina Panthers formally announced the end of his nine-year run.

In a news release, the Panthers announced the contracts of Fox and the rest of his staff wouldn’t be renewed after Sunday’s game at Atlanta.

Fox’s departure has been no secret, and his last full practice at the Panthers’ complex was an odd scene. Fox gathered the players around him shortly before noon, with a burst of laughter heard from players as they broke toward the locker room.

“It’s been a lot of great memories, a lot of fond memories, a lot of great relationships and something I’ll cherish forever,” Fox said. “Now (I’ll) just embark on the next chapter.”

The 55-year-old Fox, who is making more than $6 million this season, is 78-73 in Carolina, which includes the franchise’s only Super Bowl appearance after the 2003 season.

There was a light mood around Friday’s practice and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said Fox never brought up his ouster with the players. Munnerlyn said by phone that the news was “shocking.”

It follows a theme of players lining up to support Fox, known for being tough but also as a player’s coach. Fox has been able to hold onto the locker room despite his lame-duck status and the team’s poor record.

Favre doubtful for likely last game

Brett Favre’s name has appeared frequently on the NFL’s weekly injury report over 20 seasons of sprains, strains and painful hits.

This might be the last time: The Minnesota Vikings declared the 41-year-old doubtful to play at Detroit, due to the lingering effects of a concussion.

Favre wore his red quarterback jersey, but he didn’t have a helmet on and didn’t participate in any drills during Friday’s practice. Interim coach Leslie Frazier declined to address whether Favre has passed the post-concussion testing required by the league to return to action.

Favre suffered the head injury against Chicago on Dec. 20 and missed the last game at Philadelphia because of it, the second time in three weeks he sat out after his all-time record consecutive starts streak ended.

Browns’ Mangini sees uncertain future

Browns coach Eric Mangini expects to meet with team president Mike Holmgren on Monday to discuss his future in Cleveland.

Mangini is just 10-21 in two seasons and could be heading into his final game Sunday.

Holmgren has never ruled out a possible return to coaching. He wanted to see improvement this season following a 5-11 season in 2009.

Vick unlikely to play in finale against Dallas

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is unlikely to play against the Dallas Cowboys after he missed a second straight day of practice.

The Eagles listed Vick as questionable on their official injury report. Sunday’s home game has no significance to Philadelphia’s playoff status.

Vick bruised his right leg on the first play of the Eagles’ 24-14 loss to the Vikings Tuesday night, a loss that eliminated the Eagles from contention for a first-round playoff bye and locked them into the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs as the East division champions.

NFL to reduce fines for two players

The NFL has reduced the fines for Atlanta’s Dunta Robinson and New England’s Brandon Meriweather, both cited for flagrant hits against defenseless receivers.

Robinson’s fine was reduced by league appeals officer Ted Cottrell from $50,000 to $25,000. Meriweather’s went from $50,000 to $40,000.

Quick kicks

Texans Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson will miss Houston’s season finale against Jacksonville and will have arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle next week. … Receiver Chad Ochocinco will miss the Bengals’ final game in Baltimore with a bad left ankle that needs surgery. … Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew will not play in the team’s finale at Houston because of a knee injury. … Mark Sanchez has been limited again at practice with a sore right shoulder, but will start for the New York Jets on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Starting cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are also questionable. … Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has practiced for the first time in three weeks, leaving his status Sunday uncertain. … QB Jon Kitna is listed as questionable for the Dallas Cowboys’ season finale. The Cowboys also signed veteran kicker Kris Brown. … New York Giants Pro Bowl center Shaun O’Hara and receiver Hakeem Nicks will not play against the Redskins. … Raiders coach Tom Cable said running back Darren McFadden and defensive tackle Richard Seymour are questionable for Oakland’s season finale. … The Miami Dolphins have placed linebacker Karlos Dansby on injured reserve. … Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis missed his third practice in a row because of lingering sore ribs. … Vikings quarterback Joe Webb has been fined $5,000 by the NFL for a “major” facemask penalty he committed last week against the Eagles.