Shanahan’s comments prove costly

The NFL fined Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan $20,000 Friday for his criticism of the call that reversed Darrent Williams’ punt return for a touchdown last week against San Diego.

Officials called Denver for too many men on the field toward the end of Williams’ 61-yard punt return last Sunday after a few Broncos ran off the sideline to prepare for the extra point. None of the Broncos who ran onto the field was within 15 yards of the play.

“It was a horrible call. Horrible call,” Shanahan said Monday. “You wouldn’t see a lot of calls like that in high school.”

Friday, Shanahan acknowledged he had been fined by the league.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been fined,” Shanahan said jokingly. “That is pretty impressive.”

Williams said he had no response to his coach’s penalty.

“I won’t be helping Mike pay the fine,” he said.

Vick remains probable

Quarterback Michael Vick practiced for the second straight day and likely will start when the Atlanta Falcons visit Buffalo this weekend.

Vick tweaked his left hamstring in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss at Seattle and left the game on each of the final two possessions. Coach Jim Mora upgraded Vick from questionable to probable after the two-time Pro Bowl selection returned to practice Thursday.

The Falcons take a five-game road losing streak to face the Bills for the first time in 10 years.

Strahan sits out practice

New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan missed practice with a sore back and was listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game at San Diego.

Strahan, who also missed some practice time last week with back spasms before recording five tackles and a sack against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, did not appear too worried about his latest problem.

“I’m fine,” Strahan said. “If I don’t play on Sunday, then be concerned.”

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Strahan would seek treatment from a chiropractor, as he did before Monday night’s game.

Leftwich will likely play

Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich and defensive end Reggie Hayward were upgraded to probable, two days before Jacksonville faces the New York Jets.

Both players had been listed as questionable on Wednesday’s injury report. Leftwich injured his groin in last week’s loss at Indianapolis while Hayward was down with a back injury.

“I’m not 100 percent, but who in the NFL is 100 percent during the season?” Leftwich said. “But I’ll be out there playing on Sunday. I won’t be limited in any way come Sunday.”

Eagles’ stars banged up

Brian Westbrook missed practice with a knee injury, but was expected to start Philadelphia’s game against Oakland on Sunday.

Coach Andy Reid kept the Pro Bowl running back out as a precaution, just like he did with Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens earlier in the week. Reid said Westbrook was hit above the knee in Sunday’s win against San Francisco and is listed as probable.

“I gave him the day off just to let that thing rest up and have him ready for Sunday,” Reid said.

McNabb, Owens and kicker David Akers all practiced and will play against the Raiders.

McNabb, who sat out one practice last week with a bruised chest, hurt his groin right before halftime against San Francisco. Owens has a nagging abdominal/groin injury. Akers has been bothered by a hamstring injury.

Reid said Akers should be able to kick off and kick field goals.

Ex-Raider held without bond

Former Oakland Raiders center Barret Robbins will be held without bond until his trial sometime next year on attempted murder and other charges stemming from a January brawl with Miami police.

Robbins had been free on $51,000 bond and undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder at a hospital in Texas. But Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Kevin Emas revoked that bond Friday after Robbins was arrested Aug. 13 on marijuana charges in San Antonio.

Emas ordered Robbins held in a special psychiatric wing of the Miami-Dade County Jail “until the case is resolved.” No trial date has been set.

Robbins was shot and seriously wounded during a Jan. 15 melee with police making a burglary call at a building that housed a pub, gym and jewelry store. Robbins was found hiding in a women’s restroom.