Taylor faces drunken driving charge
The tumultuous season of Washington Redskins rookie Sean Taylor hit a new low in the early hours Thursday when he was arrested on a drunken driving charge.
The No. 5 overall draft pick from Miami then compounded his ordeal by keeping the Redskins guessing his whereabouts until he arrived at Redskins Park in the afternoon, well after the team’s practice. He entered the building through a back door and met with Coach Joe Gibbs.
Several hours later, the team released a one-sentence statement announcing the 21-year-old safety would be inactive for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. Gibbs was not available for comment after the meeting.
Taylor was stopped by a state trooper at about 2:45 a.m. EDT, on Washington’s Interstate 495 beltway. Taylor is due in court Dec. 1. A first offense is punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a $2,500 fine. A conviction would also merit disciplinary action by the NFL.
Panthers release Cooper
The Carolina Panthers waived special teams standout Jarrod Cooper after police issued an arrest warrant alleging he gave false information to an officer.
Cooper has also been charged twice in the past three years with driving while impaired.
His latest trouble came last Friday, when a Charlotte-Mecklenburg County police officer pulled him over, said spokeswoman Julia Rush of the county jail. An arrest warrant was issued three days later for “allegedly giving false information to a police officer,” Rush said.
The Panthers announced his release shortly before he turned himself in at the jail Thursday.
Around the league
Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck returned to practice after missing the previous day with a sore heel. An MRI showed no major damage, and he is expected to play Sunday against Carolina. Cornerback Marcus Trufant (shoulder), right tackle Chris Terry (shoulder) and punter Tom Rouen (hamstring) were among the players not practicing. All three are questionable for Sunday’s game. … Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair exercised and stretched with trainers, but was not able to practice with the Titans because of a bruised sternum. … Chicago Bears rookie defensive tackle Tommie Harris was fined $5,000 for knocking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brian Griese to the ground last Sunday during a dead ball situation. … All-Pro left tackle Jonathan Ogden signed a seven-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. … Green Bay’s top three offensive performers missed practice again as quarterback Brett Favre, running back Ahman Green and lineman Marco Rivera were on the sideline. … Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor returned to practice and expects to play at Houston this week. … Dorsey Levens will start at running back for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, replacing Brian Westbrook, who is questionable with a broken rib.