Shanahan, McNabb ease strain

Washington’s Kyle Shanahan took his turn at the microphone on Friday, challenging comments made by Donovan McNabb’s agent.

The Redskins’ offensive coordinator said Fletcher Smith’s comments were “disturbing,” so he spoke “face-to-face, man-to-man” with McNabb Thursday night at Redskins Park. He said the 12-year veteran told him that the claims made by his agent were untrue.

Smith said in a statement that the “tension” between the quarterback and the Washington coaches is from McNabb’s suggestions for improving the Redskins’ offense.

“When I talked to Donovan, he said he didn’t say any of that,” Shanahan said during his weekly television interview on CSN Washington. “I’m like, ‘Well, your agent did, which to me is you.’ He said he didn’t agree with any of that, that those words didn’t come out of his mouth and that he didn’t tell his agent that stuff. So all I can go off of is what Donovan tells me.

“We’ve never had a confrontation all year. We’ve never had an argument. Everything’s been good, so it is really a different situation to hear that stuff, but when I cleared it up with him, I’ve got to go with the reality of what two guys between us talk about.”

Smith said in a statement that the Shanahan, and his father, coach Mike Shanahan, have made comments that go beyond disrespectful and that were “unprecedented for a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback such as Donovan.”

“Donovan and I talk constantly and have done so with more frequency during this season. We are absolutely on the same page. I standby my statement and will reserve any further comments until after I have had a chance to speak, directly, with coach Shanahan.” Smith said in a statement.

Among the claims made by Smith were that after the Redskins loss to Tampa Bay, Kyle Shanahan said McNabb would never play for him again.

Smith also alleged that Shanahan ignored McNabb’s suggestions when it came to making changes in the offense, specifically more use of screen passes, adding that “ironically, Kyle decided to employ Donovan’s suggestions after he unceremoniously benched him on Sunday.”

“That quote was entertaining,” said Shanahan. “Asking Donovan about that, he nor I remember that conversation. To hear that we had a different offense for Rex (Grossman) is a joke. We ran six screens versus Dallas. We have ran five or six screens in every game since our bye week. I really have no idea what he’s talking about, and it’s completely inaccurate.”

Earlier in the week McNabb said he felt “disrespected” by the way he was benched and demoted.

On Friday, McNabb declined to comment when approached by reporters other than to confirm he did speak with Kyle Shanahan.

The coach declined to comment on the matter other than to say he had yet to speak with Smith “but I will talk to him.”

Favre expected to sit

Brett Favre appears unlikely to play Sunday night at Philadelphia.

Minnesota Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier said Favre had yet to pass his neurological exam, although he wasn’t sure if the quarterback had taken the test yet. Frazier admitted that if Favre can’t pass the exam by Saturday, he won’t be able to play.

Once a player gets past the neurological test, there is a conditioning element he also must complete in order to play. Frazier did say that Favre will travel with the team.

While this means that rookie Joe Webb likely will get his first career start Sunday, Frazier wasn’t willing to list Favre as “out” on the injury report.

NFL fines 16 players

Sixteen players were fined by the NFL for illegal hits, including Atlanta defensive end Kroy Biermann and Cincinnati linebacker Dhani Jones, each docked $15,000.

Biermann got the biggest fine for helmet-to-helmet contact on Seattle quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Jones was fined for the same infraction against Browns quarterback Colt McCoy.

Baltimore free safety Ed Reed was fined $10,000 for hitting New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees in the face. Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher lost $10,000 for striking defenseless Minnesota tight end Visanthe Shiancoe in the neck and head area, his second violation.

Quick kicks

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was listed as probable on New York’s injury report and coach Rex Ryan fully expects him to be under center, barring a late setback, to start in the team’s game at Chicago on Sunday after being limited with a sore right shoulder. … The Detroit Lions placed quarterback Matthew Stafford on injured reserve with a separated right shoulder. The move ends Stafford’s season with two games remaining.