NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Saints: Special teams captain Steve Gleason expects to be fined by the league after being ejected from Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers for throwing a punch. Gleason was tossed with 1:26 remaining in the first half after punching Panthers defensive end Kemp Rasmussen in his groin at the end of a kickoff return. "There was really no justification for what I did," Gleason said Monday. "That's not my character, not the way I play the game. I'm humiliated." Gleason was on his knees after the play and Rasmussen was standing in front of him. There was a slight pause and then Gleason threw the punch. "It's a violent game and I was frustrated," Gleason said. "I felt like the play was over and they kept blocking me." Gleason said he had never drawn a personal foul before, let alone been ejected. He had not talked to coach Jim Haslett about the incident. "I should apologize to everyone," Gleason said. "My opponent, my team and my coach. I'm just sick about it." NFL director of football operations Gene Washington is expected to review the incident.
Raiders: WR Ronald Curry tore his left Achilles' tendon and is done for the season. The receiver was hurt during Sunday's 34-27 loss to Kansas City and will have surgery soon, Raiders coach Norv Turner said. The team hopes to have Curry back at full strength by training camp after what's expected to be six months of rehabilitation. Curry had the same injury to his right Achilles' tendon during college at North Carolina. "He's been through it," Turner said. "They say it's around six months, but if he can cut with the left one the way he does with the right one, he's going to be fine. The disappointing thing is, you watched it, his emergence as a playmaker, as a receiver. He's got all the things you're looking for in a football player, particularly a young football player." The 25-year-old Curry has a team-high 50 catches and six touchdowns receiving. Curry was having a career game when he took a hard hit from Chiefs safety Willie Pile on a 22-yard catch with 5:46 left in the fourth quarter. Curry had nine catches for a career-high 141 yards, a Raiders season high, and two touchdowns.
Titans: Cornerback Samari Rolle had surgery on his left knee Monday and will be out two to four weeks. The Titans also lost linebacker Rocky Calmus for the season with a strained left hamstring. Rolle tried to play through pain in his knee, which forced him out of an 18-15 victory at Jacksonville on Nov. 21. He also played in the loss at Houston on Nov. 28, but was sidelined for Sunday's loss to Indianapolis. Coach Jeff Fisher said there was a chance Rolle could return before the season ends Jan. 2 against Detroit. Calmus had missed eight games with nerve problems in his lower back that caused weakness in his left leg. But Fisher said Calmus had significant damage to his left hamstring after he got confused on a defensive call Sunday.
Jets: Defensive end John Abraham will miss Sunday's game at Pittsburgh with a sprained ligament in his right knee. Coach Herman Edwards said Monday that an MRI exam revealed the injury to the lateral collateral ligament, and Abraham is week to week. The injury could be a big blow to a defense that has been playing extremely well. Abraham leads the team with 9 1/2 sacks and has improved his play against the run, while maintaining his role as the team's best pass rusher. The defense has allowed the fewest points in the league, and shut out opponents in the second half in six games this season. Former first-round pick Bryan Thomas will start in place of Abraham. "When you lose a great player, you always suffer one way in the fact that you don't have his ability to change games," Edwards said. "So you compensate different ways. We lost him in the first half and they did a great job in the second half of shutting them out. You have to rally." Abraham has a history of injuries. Last year, he missed eight games with a groin injury, and missed most of his rookie season with a sports hernia.
Vikings: Cornerback Antoine Winfield is doubtful for Sunday's game against Seattle with a high ankle sprain. Winfield, who leads the Vikings with 94 tackles and three interceptions, injured his left ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's 24-14 loss at Chicago.
Bills: Two starters, right tackle Mike Williams and tight end Mark Campbell, may not play against Cleveland next weekend. Coach Mike Mularkey said Monday that both were having further tests on right knee injuries sustained in Buffalo's 42-32 win at Miami on Sunday. Backup tight end Tim Euhus also is having tests after hurting his knee Sunday, but he finished the game. Williams, Buffalo's first-round draft pick in 2002, has started all 12 games this season and been particularly strong in the Willis McGahee-led running attack. Campbell was hurt after missing a catch midway through the first quarter. Campbell is third among Bills receivers with 17 catches for 203 yards and five touchdowns.
Falcons: Backup guard Martin Bibla will miss the rest of the season with a broken ankle. A third-year player out of Miami, he was used primarily on special teams. DT Ed Jasper has a fractured hand, but he should be able to keep playing with a cast.
Broncos: Backup WR Nate Jackson was lost for the season with a broken ankle. Jackson has eight catches for 73 yards this season. Rookie Triandos Luke will probably get more playing time because of Jackson's injury.
Associated Press