Newsmakers

Promoted The Oakland Raiders benched former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell on Wednesday, handing the starting job to journeyman Bruce Gradkowski for the foreseeable future. Coach Tom Cable made the announcement of the change following practice as the Raiders prepare to play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Cable said this was not a temporary move, that his plan is to stick with Gradkowski.

•Perry Fewell wasted no time making changes on his first full day as the Bills interim coach, picking Ryan Fitzpatrick to be the starting quarterback. The decision to go with Fitzpatrick over Trent Edwards was announced shortly after the team’s practice as the Bills prepare to play at Jacksonville this weekend. Fewell was promoted from defensive coordinator after Dick Jauron was fired Tuesday.

Acquired Cornerback Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL any more. Suddenly, the 10-year veteran has been snapped up by the New Orleans Saints and he’s glad to be back in pads again. At 32, McAlister was bitter about being cut by Baltimore in the offseason, the only team for which he’d played.

Fined Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn has been fined by the NFL for his low hit on Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs. After throwing an interception in Monday night’s 16-0 loss to the Ravens, Quinn dived at Suggs’ knees while trying to bring down cornerback Chris Carr, who had picked him off. Suggs had to leave the game and could miss significant playing time.

Out Portland Trail Blazers forward Travis Outlaw had surgery to repair a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot. The team said he will be sidelined three to five months. Outlaw, who averages 9.9 points, hurt the foot during the first quarter of the Trail Blazers’ game against Charlotte on Saturday night.

Hired After years of working with national teams, Davey Johnson is returning to the Nationals. The longtime major league manager joined the front office of the Washington Nationals. The 66-year-old Johnson will work as a senior adviser to general manager Mike Rizzo.

Signed The Baltimore Ravens have signed kicker Billy Cundiff, who has played for Dallas and Cleveland. Cundiff re- places Steve Hauschka, who was cut Tuesday.

Indicted The woman accused of trying to extort money from Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino was charged in Louisville, Ky., with retaliating against the coach by falsely claiming he raped her. A federal grand jury brought four new criminal charges against Karen Cunagin Sypher, including retal- iation against a witness.