NFL Capsules: NFL players getting hooked on fantasy football

NEW YORK — Fantasy and reality collided at the 1-yard line for Maurice Jones-Drew.

The Jacksonville Jaguars running back passed up a sure touchdown and took a knee before the goal line, helping seal a win against the New York Jets last Sunday. It also made thousands of frustrated fantasy football owners pound their heads against their laptops.

Jones-Drew knows how they felt. He cost himself a win in his own fantasy league.

"I was actually apologizing to myself," he said. "I have myself. It was all in fun. I know a lot of people were affected by it from what I hear."

Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould was one of them. He "owns" Jones-Drew in the NFL Players Association league, which includes seven NFL players and a fan. Gould’s Team Automatic lost to Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams’ Memphis MudSlingers, thanks in part to Jones-Drew’s kneel-down.

"I’m just glad he apologized," a joking Gould said. "I probably would have won, so MJD’s got to score an extra one for me this week."

Fantasy football leagues aren’t just for fans anymore. An increasing number of NFL players are hopping on their computers and agonizing over their lineups — should I start Tom Brady or Brett Favre?

"I got addicted," Minnesota backup running back Albert Young said.

Think your fantasy drafts are intense? Imagine what happens when a group of NFL players gets together.

"Matt Forte picked me before I had a chance to pick myself," Gould said of his Chicago teammate. "He has half the Bears team."

Adam Caplan, an NFL reporter for Scout.com, is in his sixth year co-hosting a fantasy football show on Sirius NFL Radio. He estimated that about a quarter of the 60-70 players he has interviewed over the last few years participate in fantasy leagues.

"But almost all of them know what it is," Caplan said, "because at the very least, their friends and family play."

That’s something Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez can attest to, because he hears all about it every Monday.

"They’ve all got me," he said. "It’s like, ‘Did you score?’ They try to sit me down like they’re my coach: ‘If you’re not going to perform, I’m going to have to cut you. I’m going to have to sit you down this week."’

Having inside information doesn’t always help, either. Earlier this season, Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck benched himself in favor of Favre, thinking the Minnesota quarterback would have a huge day against St. Louis. Well, Favre threw for 232 yards and a touchdown, while Hasselbeck had a season-high four touchdown passes against Jacksonville.

That’s just bad GM work there, Matt.

"I know you can’t gamble," said Pittsburgh guard Darnell Stapleton, "but I think a lot of players do it just to see how well they can do, picking their roster and picking who to start this week or next week."

And, it’s difficult not to get emotionally involved. New York Jets running back Leon Washington is clogging up a bench spot on his NFLPA-leading team, Jet Lizzle. He’s been on injured reserve with a broken leg for nearly a month but hasn’t gotten up the nerve to cut himself.

Dallas wide receiver Roy Williams drafted himself in at least one of the three leagues he participates in and has no problem sitting in favor of Houston’s Andre Johnson and Indianapolis’ Reggie Wayne.

"It’s hard to do, but I’ve got to do it," he said. "I’m trying to win."

Players generally feel there’s no conflict of interest.

"I don’t necessarily see a problem with NFL players being involved, because technically we’re already involved," said San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, who doesn’t play fantasy sports. "We’re the ones out here on the field either getting points or disappointing somebody’s Sunday afternoon. Whether or not we play well, win or lose, it still affects us in the real world.

"The fantasy world is just that: fantasy."

Many NFL players bench their colleagues if they’re playing against them in reality. That includes fantasy football studs such as Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson.

"That’s just how you do it," said Jones-Drew, who lost the NFLPA league title to Cato June last year. "If I had Peyton Manning, I would have to sit him when we play them because you don’t do those things. You always want the best to happen on the field. That’s how it is."

Not that that stops fans from imploring NFL coaches to change their game plans to help their matchup in a given week.

"All the time, make sure I hand it to Maurice. ‘He’s on my team, he’s my guy.’ Yeah, I hear that," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "I started hearing that in the offseason, and I always told those guys, ‘Your fantasies and my fantasies are different. Let’s acknowledge that, all right?"’

For many NFL players, reality is more than enough to worry about.

"I see these guys every Sunday," Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis said. "I’m trying to beat them. Why would I want to sit on the computer and vote them for my team and have to root for them?"

NFL union opposes call for reporting on teammates

The NFL Players Association opposes commissioner Roger Goodell’s call for players to tell their teams’ medical staffs if they think a teammate shows symptoms of a concussion, saying that is not an adequate solution.

"If every player were a medical doctor that could recognize symptoms of concussions, then that would be a great idea," NFLPA assistant executive director George Atallah said in a telephone interview Friday.

"I hope that that league — instead of asking players to police each other — would consider calling on team medical staffs and independent doctors to police the situation as closely," Atallah said.

During interviews of 160 NFL players conducted by The Associated Press from Nov. 2-15, 30 replied they have hidden or played down the effects of a concussion. Half said they’ve had at least one concussion playing football.

Told of those findings this week, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an e-mail to the AP that Goodell recently spoke to NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith "about the importance of players reporting head injuries no matter how minor they believe they might be. The commissioner said that process needs to include players observing and reporting to the team medical staff when a teammate shows symptoms of a concussion."

Aiello said Friday the league is considering "a number of steps" related to player health and safety. Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy has been picked to lead a new NFL advisory forum that will meet with players about various issues, including concussions.

"It’s not that player safety is not a priority of ours," Atallah said, "it’s that (Goodell’s) suggestion is not adequate."

Reaction was mixed among a handful of players asked about Goodell’s idea.

Goodell, New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk said, "is looking out for the safety of the players, and you can’t knock that at all."

Washington Redskins fullback Mike Sellers’ take: "We ain’t no snitches over here! ... That is not happening."

Pro Football Hall of Fame member Gary Zimmerman said: "I don’t like that idea at all. What if you’re competing against somebody and you rat them out? ... It should be your personal responsibility and your decision."

Other current players, such as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and New York Jets offensive lineman Damien Woody, said players already keep an eye on teammates.

"It’s your personal responsibility to look out for your teammates, just because there’s life after football and you want to live a normal life," Bailey said. "It might help because guys don’t want to be in that training room, guys don’t want to sit out and miss games. Guys do push it as much as they can without realizing the damage they’re causing to their brain. They might not realize they’re impaired; they might just be in denial."

Green Bay linebacker Aaron Kampman said he’s pointed out teammates’ issues to Packers staff in the past.

"Guys are going to naturally look out for each other," he said. "I see that now. I see a guy come off, and he’s woozy, I say, ‘This guy here."’

Kampman is expected to return to action Sunday against San Francisco after missing last weekend’s victory over Dallas because of a concussion. He took a blow to the head on the fourth play of the Packers’ loss at Tampa Bay on Nov. 8, but didn’t come out of the game until the fourth quarter. Kampman put the onus on himself for not seeking medical attention sooner.

Dr. Joseph Maroon, Pittsburgh’s team doctor and a member of an NFL committee on concussions, said members of the Steelers "not infrequently ... will say, ‘You should look at him’ or ‘You should look at that.’ That’s being done now. They realize that an individual who’s not processing information properly isn’t going to benefit the team."

As a former player and head coach in the NFL, Herm Edwards has seen concussions up close. He likes Goodell’s position.

"To me, that’s not snitching," said Edwards, now an ESPN analyst. "That’s protecting your teammate."

-- Howard Fendrich

Union says NFL concussion expert is biased

NEW YORK — The NFL Players Association wants the league to remove the co-chairman of the league’s committee on concussions because the union believes he is biased.

Dr. Ira Casson has criticized independent and league-sponsored studies linking NFL careers with heightened risk for dementia and cognitive decline, saying more research is needed.

"We’ve expressed some serious concern about his ability to continue in his role," NFLPA assistant executive director George Atallah said in a telephone interview Friday, "because of the historic comments that he’s made with respect to discrediting independent research on the subject of concussions and the long-term impact of football on players."

The NFLPA’s stance was first reported by The New York Times.

"Neither (union head) DeMaurice Smith nor anyone else at the NFLPA initiated a discussion about Dr. Casson with the commissioner," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "However, we have informed Mr. Smith of a number of steps we are considering relating to player health and safety, including the work and structure of our committee on brain injuries."

Casson has served on the committee since it was formed in 1994 and became co-chairman in 2007. He has been conducting a study of retired players he said will provide reliable evidence on brain injuries in the sport.

According to the Times, that study has been criticized by several outside experts in epidemiology and dementia research who say the 120 test subjects are too few to find any substantial link between football and brain injuries, and that Casson’s role in conducting all neurological exams in the study is improper.

Atallah told the AP that the union was upset that Casson failed to appear at last month’s congressional hearing about football head injuries. Some House members complained that day that Casson did not testify.

During the hearing, Rep. Linda Sanchez, a California Democrat, played a clip of a TV interview in which Casson denied evidence of a link between multiple head injuries in NFL players with brain disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Sanchez said that reminded her of tobacco companies denying a link between smoking and disease.

Ravens’ Edwards plans appeal of fine for roughness

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards plans to appeal the $5,000 fine he received for a hit delivered to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribbs on Monday night.

Edwards struck Cribbs with a forearm to the facemask on the final play of Baltimore’s 16-0 win.

Edwards said Friday he will appeal in an effort "to get some of it back." He said the fine was levied because the hit came at a time when Cribbs "supposedly shouldn’t have reasonably expected it."

Cribbs was carted off the field and taken to the Cleveland Clinic for tests. He was released the following morning and returned to practice Thursday.

Cribbs spoke to Edwards on Tuesday and is convinced he wasn’t trying to injure him.

Earlier in the game, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was hurt on an illegal block by Browns quarterback Brady Quinn, who was fined $10,000 for unnecessary roughness.

Steelers linebacker James Harrison was fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness when he struck Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth late.

Jaguars defensive back Reggie Nelson was fined $7,500 for roughing Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez with a hit to the head area.

Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan was fined $10,000 for trying to tackle an opponent by grabbing the facemask and unnecessary roughness for hitting an opponent late. Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck was fined $7,500 for unnecessary roughness for using a horse collar in tackling a running back.

NFL fines Dockett $7,500 for Hasselbeck throat hit

TEMPE, Ariz. — The NFL has fined Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett $7,500 for his elbow to the throat of Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

The league said the fine was for "roughing the passer."

Seattle coach Jim Mora had complained that it was a dirty play by Dockett, who responded it was an accident. Dockett said he has too much respect for Hasselbeck to ever intentionally hurt the Seahawks quarterback.

The incident occurred while Hasselbeck was lying on his back during Arizona’s 31-20 victory over Seattle last Sunday.

Injuries

Cribbs expects to play Sunday against Lions

BEREA, Ohio — Josh Cribbs’ neck is still a little sore, but he doesn’t mind sticking it out for Baltimore’s Dwan Edwards.

Cribbs said Friday he expects to play in the Cleveland Browns’ game at Detroit on Sunday, which will be six days after he was strapped to a backboard and wheeled into an ambulance following a loss to the Ravens on Monday night. Browns coach Eric Mangini said he also expects Cribbs to play.

Edwards was fined $5,000 by the league this week for smashing a forearm under Cribbs’ chin on the game’s final play. Cribbs had pitched the ball away on a lateral and admitted he had relaxed a bit when Edwards hit him. As a result, he defended Edwards on Friday.

"I don’t feel he should’ve been fined for it," Cribbs said. "It’s football. Just as he hit me, I could’ve hit him blocking for my guy. It happened during the play between the whistles. They have rules in place to protect players, but I don’t think it was intentional at all."

After a series of tests, Cribbs was diagnosed with a sprained neck.

His fearlessness has turned the undrafted free agent into a Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s most dangerous return specialists. He insists that won’t change now.

"It’s going to take a lot to keep me out of the game. I love it too much," Cribbs said. "They’d have to take my gear away for me not to play.

"You expect situations like that, and I just pray and hope I won’t end up on the wrong side of it. Things worked out for me this time. I’m going to try to be more aware."

Cribbs has played this season despite wanting a new contract. His agent, J.R. Rickert, blasted the Browns this week for leaving in Cribbs — arguably the team’s best offensive threat — for the final play of a game they had no chance to win. Cribbs has done everything the Browns have asked this season while hoping the two sides can work out a new deal soon.

Monday’s hit has left him especially irritated that there has been little movement in negotiations.

"This is the exact thing I worry about," Cribbs said. "We’re going to make sure we get that handled because it really is a touchy subject for me now. It put a lot of things into perspective getting hurt like that and (knowing) it possibly could have been worse."

Cribbs expects to handle all his regular duties Sunday in the game between two 1-8 teams. Losing Cribbs on offense would have been another devastating blow to a team that has scored just five touchdowns in its last 15 games — the fewest in a 15-game span since 1950. Cleveland’s drought is magnified by the fact no Browns receiver has scored since Nov. 2, 2008, and no running back has scored since Nov. 17 of last year.

"It’s not to the point where you’re going to be hiding under the table. You can’t do that. You have to wake up the next day and fight," first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said. "I live this. It’s not good enough. I’m the leader of these guys. It’s got to be better on my part. They understand what they need to do, too. We’re collectively working toward getting that better."

Bills DT Stroud ruled out against Jacksonville

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcus Stroud has been ruled out and linebacker Keith Ellison was placed on injured reserve Friday, leaving the NFL’s worst run defense further depleted against Jacksonville this weekend.

The decision to end Ellison’s season came after interim head coach Perry Fewell had not mentioned the move was imminent when he issued the team’s injury report following practice.

Ellison has been out since hurting his quadriceps in a 31-10 loss to Houston on Nov. 1. He becomes the 12th Bills player — and second starting linebacker, joining Kawika Mitchell (knee) — to be placed on IR this season.

The rash of injuries continue to mount for a team coming off a tumultuous week that included Fewell taking over Tuesday for dismissed coach Dick Jauron.

Stroud was ruled out because of a knee injury that has prevented him from practicing after he was hurt in a 41-17 loss at Tennessee last weekend. Except to refer to Stroud as day to day, Fewell wouldn’t divulge the nature of the injury.

His absence means the Bills (3-6) could be down both starting defensive tackles against the Jaguars. Kyle Williams has missed three games because of a knee injury, and was questionable after he practiced sparingly this week.

That leaves Buffalo with only two other defensive tackles on its roster, reserves Spencer Johnson and John McCargo.

The Bills are allowing an NFL-worst 173 yards rushing this season. Buffalo prepares to face the run-happy Jaguars led by Maurice Jones-Drew, who’s tied for fourth in the league with 860 yards rushing and has scored seven of his 12 touchdowns in the past four games.

While strong safety Donte Whitner is set to return after missing three games with an ankle injury, the defense could be down another regular with rookie safety Jairus Byrd questionable because of a nagging groin injury. A second-round draft pick out of Oregon, Byrd has a league-leading eight interceptions to tie the Bills’ rookie single-season record. He also has a five-game interception streak.

Reserve cornerback Ashton Youboty was also ruled out after hurting his ankle last weekend.

Mitchell made an appearance in the locker room Friday. Placed on injured reserve after hurting his right knee in a 6-3 loss to Cleveland on Oct. 11, Mitchell said he had surgery five weeks ago and should be ready to begin working out in March.

The Bills filled Ellison’s spot on the roster by promoting rookie defensive back Cary Harris from their practice squad.

-- John Wawrow

Jets’ Leonhard questionable, Gholston out vs. Pats

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard is questionable for the team’s game at New England after being limited in practice Friday with a broken right thumb.

Leonhard, injured in last Sunday’s loss to Jacksonville, returned to practice and participated in individual drills as well as some team activities while wearing a cast on his hand.

"It was better than I thought it would be," Leonhard said of practicing with the cast. "If I wasn’t able to do that today, it would have been very hard to play on Sunday."

Coach Rex Ryan said he’d consult with Leonhard and the team’s trainers to see how he feels leading up to the game Sunday.

"If it was up to me, I’d like to be out there," Leonhard said.

Eric Smith would get the start opposite Kerry Rhodes if Leonhard can’t play.

"He’ll definitely want to be out there," Ryan said of Leonhard. "There’s no doubt about that, but he also knows how important this game is. If he doesn’t think that he can play and isn’t up to it, then he knows what we need and he’ll be honest. Again, I would not be shocked to see him out there."

Even if he plays, Leonhard will be replaced on punt returns by Jerricho Cotchery. The sure-handed wide receiver last returned punts in 2005 and averaged 7.8 yards a return.

Ryan also ruled out linebacker Vernon Gholston for the second straight week with a hamstring injury. Gholston was injured in practice last Monday in the team’s first workout off the bye-week break.

Portis visits concussion specialists

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis was at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on Friday to have his concussion evaluated.

Portis saw the same doctors who examined Eagles back Brian Westbrook, who has sustained two concussions in the last month. Portis was hurt two weeks ago against Atlanta. He did not play last week against Denver and has been ruled out for Sunday’s game at Dallas.

"We’re going to make sure we take care of all the details. We’re for Clinton getting well," Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. "Each day Clinton’s done a great job of communicating how he’s felt, and that’s what it’s going to take.

"I want to be involved with those conversations, not so much to see ‘how fast can we get him back,’ but just to make sure the young man is improving and getting better."

Portis gave his own update via Tweeter: "Hey fans! Trying to get healthy to finish the season strong, want to make sure there aren’t lingering affects before returning to the field."

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is questionable for Sunday because of a sprained left ankle. Haynesworth was unable to practice this week but tested his ankle on a treadmill Friday.

Zorn said Haynesworth remains a game-time decision.

Seahawks likely without starting CB vs. Vikes

RENTON, Wash. — Nate Burleson has had about a half dozen concussions since he’s been in the NFL. At least he thinks so.

"After your head hits the ground you don’t always remember what’s happened," the Seahawks’ veteran wide receiver said. "I’ve had six or seven since I’ve been in the league. It feels like I’ve had more, but I haven’t always told the trainers so I could keep playing."

Fellow Seahawks Josh Wilson and Marcus Trufant each got knocked woozy last weekend, with Wilson face down and motionless for a moment before he jogged off. Both starting cornerbacks returned to finish the loss at Arizona, then were diagnosed with concussions.

Wilson hasn’t practiced since. He is doubtful to play Sunday at Minnesota, leaving Kelly Jennings the likely starter.

Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu has had concussions, but won’t say how many. He’s donating his brain to research after he dies.

All play for a team that has a doctor who is considered an expert in brain trauma, and which prides itself on having been one of the NFL’s first to conduct neurological testing in the preseason to better diagnose head injuries.

"We have probably the finest doctor in the United States in Stan Herring, in terms of those situations," Seahawks coach Jim Mora said Friday, after Wilson missed his third consecutive practice.

A new concussion law in Washington state sets out conditions for how head injuries are to be dealt with in sports. It was a crusade for Herring, the co-medical director of the Seattle Sports Concussion program, and the family of Zackery Lystedt.

Lystedt became a patient of Herring’s in 2006 after the Maple Valley, Wash., teenager returned to a middle-school football game following a concussion and sustained a life-threatening brain injury. He remains dependent on a wheelchair and around-the-clock care.

So how scary is it that Wilson and Trufant, who was briefly on his hands and knees after getting nailed against the Cardinals, both returned to finish the game?

"I think the adrenaline of the game kept him clear, which happens a lot of times," Mora said of Wilson, whose head banged into the leg of Arizona running back Beanie Wells and then the turf. "When you get a chance to settle down it kind of settles in on you."

Trufant said he just had "a little ding" from taking a knee to his head on a fourth-and-1 play. He called it "being a little cloudy" before the fog lifted after a couple minutes, and said he was held out of practice Wednesday as a precaution. Trufant expects to start Sunday, giving Seattle (3-6) at least one of its two starting cornerbacks against Brett Favre and the high-flying Vikings (8-1)

"You just leave it up to the trainers," the 2007 Pro Bowl selection said. "I can think a lot of things (on whether to go back in), but I’m not a doctor."

Herring is.

The Seahawks’ team physician is a rehabilitation doctor by trade. That, according to Dr. Mark Lovell — a longtime member of the NFL’s medical committee on concussions who pioneered the use of neuropyschological testing that is now mandatory for all players — means Herring "is more trained in brain rehabilitation than most guys" on team medical staffs.

Seattle was one of the first teams to adopt standardized concussion assessments, in 1995, one year after the Pittsburgh Steelers did.

Herring and the Seahawks have long tested before each season to find a player’s baseline data on normal brain functioning. The tests give a team a player’s normal reaction times and other results. Once he approaches those results following a concussion, the team could clear him to play.

In 2007, the NFL made baseline testing mandatory as part of all training-camp physicals.

Yet Seahawks players say they aren’t consumed by the possibility of head injuries.

"You hardly hear anyone ever talk about a concussion, unless you are just really affected by it," cornerback Roy Lewis said. "Then again, if you are really affected by it, everyone can clearly see you have a concussion. You are walking around like you are drunk."

Tatupu says that’s a small price to pay for his riches and his career.

"Hey," he said last month, "you’re going to die of something, too."

-- Gregg Bell

Steelers’ Polamalu, Kirschke out for Chiefs

PITTSBURGH — Steelers safety Troy Polamalu did not practice all week because of a left knee injury and will not play Sunday in Kansas City. He may miss the Nov. 29 game at Baltimore as well.

Polamalu sat out the Steelers’ second through fifth games with a ligament tear, only to injure the same knee during an 18-12 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.

Polamalu’s latest injury is to a different ligament. He wore a heavy brace as he watched practice this week.

Defensive end Travis Kirschke will sit out his third consecutive game with a torn left calf muscle. He had been filling in for Aaron Smith, who is out for the season with a torn right rotator cuff.

Nick Eason will start again at left defensive end. Tyrone Carter will start at safety.

Eagles reshuffle LBs going into game with Bears

PHILADELPHIA — For the second consecutive week, the Eagles will go with a different look at linebacker because of a knee injury to weakside starter Akeem Jordan.

Coach Andy Reid ruled out Jordan for Sunday night’s game at Chicago.

Will Witherspoon will again start at weakside LB, and second-year man Joe Mays will start in the middle. Chris Gocong, who started in the middle in last week’s loss to San Diego, will move back to his customary spot on the strong side. Rookie Moise Fokou, who started the past two games on the strong side, appears to be the odd man out.

It’s the sixth different set of linebackers the Eagles will start in their 10th game of the season.

Bush questionable for Tampa Bay

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush has been held out of practice for the third straight day, and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Tampa Bay.

Bush came out of the St. Louis game with swelling and soreness in his left knee, which was surgically repaired twice in a three-month span a year ago.

Saints coach Sean Payton says Bush’s knee is bruised and swollen. He says that happens with a knee that has had surgery.

Payton said Bush knows the offense well enough that he could step in without the practice reps. But at the same time, he doesn’t want to risk a setback with his star running back.

Bears RB Wolfe lost for season with kidney injury

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears placed backup running back Garrett Wolfe on injured reserve Friday, ending his season.

The Bears will also listed tight end Desmond Clark, who has a neck injury, and safety Kevin Payne (back) as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The team listed a kidney injury for Wolfe, who told the Chicago Tribune in a text message that he suffered a lacerated kidney on the opening kickoff of a game against Arizona on Nov. 8.

The Bears elevated running back Kahlil Bell from the practice squad to replace Wolfe.

Wolfe carried the ball 22 times this season for 120 yards and one touchdown. He added nine special teams tackles and two receptions for 12 yards.

Giants LB Pierce out indefinitely with neck injury

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is out indefinitely after an MRI exam on Friday surprisingly revealed a bulging disk in his neck.

The Giants said their defensive captain underwent the test in New York and was examined by team physician Dr. Russell Warren and Dr. Frank Camissa, chief of the spinal surgical services at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The 31-year-old Pierce originally sustained a burner when the Giants played Arizona on Oct. 25. He had very little discomfort until practice this week, when the club’s medical staff scheduled the MRI exam.

"I’m shocked with what I heard from the doctors this afternoon," Pierce said in a statement released by the Giants. "I had no idea that what happened a few weeks ago could keep me off the field. I didn’t think it was that serious.

"I’m going to do everything the doctors tell me to do so I can get back out on the field as soon as possible."

The Giants (5-4) will host Atlanta on Sunday. New York, coming off its bye week, has lost four straight games.

Pierce, in his ninth NFL year and fifth with the Giants, has 55 tackles one sack, and one forced fumble in nine games this season. He was looking forward to trying to help New York snap its losing streak on Sunday against the Falcons (5-4).

"This game means a lot to us," Pierce said earlier Friday. "For one, we need a win to get out of this four-game slump and, two, it will help us in the playoff hunt. We are tied for one of the wild card spots and you always want to win the head-to-head battles."

Pierce played in 15 games last season after appearing in all 16 contests each of the previous two seasons. He has led the Giants in tackles for the last three seasons and missed only four regular-season games since leaving the Washington Redskins to join the Giants.

He spent much of the past year in the spotlight after helping former teammate Plaxico Burress when the wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York nightclub.

Pierce drove Burress to the hospital and then took the gun that Burress used back to his home in New Jersey, later arranging to get it back to the wounded receiver’s home. Pierce testified before a grand jury, which declined to indict him for his role in the incident.

Lions place G Stephen Peterman on injured reserve

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions have placed guard Stephen Peterman on the injured reserve list and signed wide receiver Eric Fowler off the practice squad.

Peterman was Detroit’s starting right guard in 2007 and 2008 and was signed to a five-year contract in February. He played in two games this season, including Sunday’s 27-10 loss at Minnesota where he injured an ankle during the third period.

His is among the latest of a long series of injuries that at one point forced coach Jim Schwartz to install Peterman at defensive end in a 26-0 loss to Green Bay on Oct. 18.

Fowler, a former Grand Valley State receiver, was cut during training camp. He played on Pittsburgh’s practice squad last fall.

Elsewhere

Death of Drew Brees’ mother ruled a suicide

GRANBY, Colo. — The death of the mother of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been ruled a suicide.

Mina Brees, an attorney from Austin, Texas, died Aug. 7 while visiting Colorado. Grand County coroner Brenda Bock concluded this week that the 59-year-old Brees died of a prescription drug overdose and ruled the death a suicide.

Bock said Brees died while staying at the home of a friend in Granby near Rocky Mountain National Park.

It took longer than three months for autopsy results to be released, but Bock said that’s typical for cases involving toxicology tests.

The Austin American Statesman reported that three days before Brees died, the Texas attorney general’s office subpoenaed her business records.

She had allegedly sent letters to some restaurants in Austin and Houston stating that they had lost their rights to use their names to a company she represented, Chicksports, but they could win the rights back by paying up to $25,000. She was also the president of Chicksports but that wasn’t mentioned in the letter.

Relations between Drew Brees and his mother were strained at times and the quarterback asked her to stop using his picture in TV commercials touting her candidacy for a Texas appeals court seat in 2006.

Mina Brees said she had not anticipated upsetting her son and sent out replacement commercials omitting mention of him.

At the time, Drew Brees called his relationship with his mother "nonexistent," saying it crumbled six years earlier when he refused to hire her as his agent.

Austin attorney Marty Akins, the brother of Minda Brees, declined comment late Friday.

Feds seek $631K verdict against ex-Steelers player Blount

PITTSBURGH — Federal attorneys want a judge to declare that Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Mel Blount owes more than $631,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties.

The Internal Revenue Service filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh in September giving Blount 60 days to respond. Blount hasn’t filed a response to the lawsuit, and the U.S. attorney’s office in Pittsburgh on Thursday asked a judge to rule against him.

The IRS complaint says Blount owes the money for the years 1994 to 2006.

Court records don’t list an attorney for Blount and he has not responded to requests for comment left at a youth home near Pittsburgh that bears his name.

The 61-year-old defensive back played on the Steelers’ first four Super Bowl teams.