Bucs WR Williams charged with DUI
Tampa Bay’s Mike Williams did not practice after his arrest on a DUI charge early Friday, but coach Raheem Morris said the rookie will travel to San Francisco and play Sunday against the 49ers.
The fourth-round draft pick out of Syracuse was arrested after Florida authorities spotted his black Escalade speeding and weaving in and out of traffic around 2:30 a.m. in Tampa, Fla.
Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies said the 23-year-old’s eyes were glassy and he smelled like alcohol when they pulled him over.
According to a breathalyzer test, Williams had a .065 blood-alcohol level, which is below Florida’s 0.08 percent legal limit. The receiver was released on $500 bond.
Authorities can conduct a DUI investigation if they see signs of impairment and make an arrest regardless of blood-alcohol tests, sheriff’s spokesman Larry McKinnon said.
Williams, who has started every game this season, also submitted to a urine test, but McKinnon said the toxicology results could take 4-6 weeks.
“I’m very disappointed about the decision he made to be out late, and the worse decision he made to have a drink and drive,” Morris said. He added that after “gathering all the facts” he made the decision to allow Williams to travel with the team.
“He will be disciplined. But it won’t have to do with playing time,” Morris added. “We’ll deal with it internally, like we always do.
“I’m very pleased with his ability to be cooperative and not be disrespectful and make this thing even worse than it could be.”
Colorado interested in Vikings’ Bieniemy
Minnesota Vikings running backs coach Eric Bieniemy is an early candidate for the open head coaching job at Colorado, his alma mater.
Vikings coach Brad Childress said he fielded a preliminary call from the school’s search committee about Bieniemy, who also serves as the assistant head coach for offense with the Vikings.
Bieniemy was an assistant at Colorado from 2001-02 and at UCLA from 2003-05. He was a standout running back for the Buffs and won a national championship with Colorado in 1990.
The Buffaloes fired head coach Dan Hawkins on Nov. 9.
Marketing agent gets prison in ticket scam
A marketing agent with ties to the New Orleans Saints has been sentenced to eight months in prison for conspiring to scalp Super Bowl tickets and hawking fake “game-worn” jerseys.
Mike Ornstein slumped on the podium when federal Judge Christopher Boyko in Cleveland handed down the sentence.
He pleaded guilty in June to scalping conspiracy and selling jerseys with the false claim that NFL players had worn them in games.
He agreed to surrender $350,000 made in the ventures from 1998 to 2006, including jerseys for the Browns and their home opponents.
St. Pierre will lead makeshift offense
Brian St. Pierre will play behind a makeshift offensive line, without Carolina’s top three running backs and minus the Panthers’ No. 3 receiver, when he makes his first NFL start on Sunday in Charlotte, N.C.
Running backs Jonathan Stewart and Tyrell Sutton, receiver Brandon LaFell and left guard Travelle Wharton have joined quarterback Jimmy Clausen in being ruled out against Baltimore.
St. Pierre, who had been out of the league until he was signed by the Panthers last week, will start ahead of rookie Tony Pike with Clausen sidelined with a concussion.
Mike Goodson is expected to start at running back for Carolina, while Mackenzy Bernadeau will fill in for Wharton.
Quick kicks
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu returned to practice after sitting out two days with an Achilles tendon injury and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against Oakland. Also practicing were defensive end Brett Keisel (hamstring) and linebacker Lawrence Timmons (hip). Left guard Chris Kemoeatu (ankle) also is probable after being held out of the New England game on Sunday. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley was docked $12,500 for roughing New England quarterback Tom Brady. … Clinton Portis is set to return for the Washington Redskins after missing five games with a torn left groin. Ryan Torain (hamstring), who filled in a tailback during Portis’ absence, will miss Sunday’s game. … Baltimore Ravens offensive guard Chris Chester has been hospitalized with a skin infection and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Coach John Harbaugh said the infection is not serious, but was causing a lot of pain. … Tennessee Titans offensive tackle David Stewart was fined $20,000 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness after striking an opponent late. He is a repeat offender, leading to the heavy fine.