Packers’ Brooks Could Miss Several Games
The Green Bay Packers have lost their top receiver, flanker Robert Brooks, to a cracked rib that will sideline him for at least Sunday’s game at Indianapolis and possibly several more weeks.
“I trust we will have him for Dallas,” on Nov. 23, coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday, sounding more hopeful than confident.
Brooks was hurt on the final play of the first quarter in the Packers’ victory over St. Louis on Sunday.
He was hit hard by Rams cornerback Ryan McNeil following an 8-yard catch on a quick slant, but he stayed in the game and finished with four receptions for 48 yards.
All bets are off
When Mike Ditka fished out a wad of bills and peeled one off for his defensive coordinator after the Oakland Raiders game, he thought it was a bit of fun being enjoyed after a rare victory by the New Orleans Saints.
The NFL is looking into the incident, however.
The league called Saints general manager Bill Kuharich after Ditka was seen on television paying off a $20 bet to assistant Zavin Yaralian. Ditka had bet Yaralian that the Saints defense wouldn’t stop Oakland Raiders receiver Tim Brown on the crossing route he runs.
Ditka described the wager as one made in fun, but said he regretted it.
“I respect this league tremendously and what it stands for,” Ditka said. “There’s things you expect to see and things you don’t expect to see when you look at a sideline. Certainly you don’t expect to see an exchange of money. I’m dead wrong.”
Around the league
Paul Justin is the likely starter at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts this week after Jim Harbaugh was unable to pass efficiently in practice… . Steve McNair, nursing a bruised chest, watched backup Dave Krieg take the snaps for the Tennessee Oilers on Wednesday at practice. Also listed as questionable for Sunday’s game is cornerback Darryll Lewis, who severely sprained his ankle against the New York Giants.
Saying his four-week suspension was unfair, cornerback Larry Brown returned to practice Wednesday with the Oakland Raiders with no assurance he’ll play again this season.
Brown was suspended in mid-October for “conduct detrimental to the team,” with Raiders coaches believing he was not practicing hard. Brown has denied that, saying he was working hard when he was suspended.