Lawyers for Ravens’ Lewis in plea talks

Lawyers for Jamal Lewis are in plea negotiations with federal prosecutors in the Baltimore Ravens running back’s drug conspiracy case, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Friday.

Citing unidentified lawyers familiar with the case, the newspaper reported federal prosecutors have offered a deal in which Lewis would receive a sentence of less than one year in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Sally Yates and a lawyer for Lewis declined to comment on the report when contacted by the Associated Press.

Last week, when asked about the possibility of a plea deal for Lewis, one of his lawyers, Jerome Froelich, told the AP that lawyers in the case were preparing for his trial, which is set to start Nov. 1.

Lewis, 24, is accused of helping broker a cocaine deal for a childhood friend, Angelo Jackson, during conversations with a government informant in Atlanta during the summer of 2000. Both Lewis and Jackson have pleaded not guilty.

Packers lose Flanagan for season

Green Bay Pro Bowl center Mike Flanagan will undergo surgery on his left knee and miss the rest of the season, Packers coach Mike Sherman announced.

McNair has improved ‘significantly’

Steve McNair stretched and ran in practice but didn’t throw any passes.

Yet he’s still looking healthy enough that Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher won’t rule him out of playing Sunday against San Diego.

After the quarterback bruised his sternum in last week’s 15-12 loss to the Jaguars, sending him to the hospital for two nights, Fisher said he didn’t think McNair would be able to play against the Chargers.

Fisher said Friday that McNair has “improved significantly.”

McNair said he wasn’t sure if he will play and that it depends on how he feels Sunday.

Trio of Giants defenders fined $20,000

The NFL fined three New York Giants defenders a total of $20,000 for illegal hits during last weekend’s game with the Cleveland Browns.

Rookie safety Gibril Wilson and cornerback Terry Cousin were each fined $7,500 for helmet-to-helmet hits, and linebacker Barrett Green was docked $5,000 for hitting quarterback Jeff Garcia in the back with the crown of his helmet.

The players have 10 days to appeal the fines to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. All three said they would.