nfl roundup News and notes

November 11, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Retirees: A federal jury has ordered the NFL Players Association to pay $28.1 million to retired players after finding the union failed to properly market their images. The figure includes $21 million in punitive damages awarded to the former players Monday afternoon. It’s just short of the $21.9 million award that the players’ lawyer had asked of the jury, or roughly 10 percent of the union’s net worth at the start of the year. A union lawyer urged the jury to award a far lesser amount so as not to damage the union’s ability to represent its members. The class action lawsuit represents 2,056 retirees who contend the union cut them out of lucrative licensing deals.

Injuries: Defensive starters Nick Barnett of Green Bay and Mike McKenzie of New Orleans both will miss the rest of the season with knee injuries. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that linebacker Barnett tore a right knee ligament in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, which the Packers lost 28-27. Surgery has not yet been scheduled. Saints cornerback McKenzie fractured his right kneecap on Sunday and New Orleans coach Sean Payton said McKenzie will have surgery this week and be placed on injured reserve.McKenzie had come back this season from a torn ligament in his right knee and had regained his starting job when his latest injury occurred Sunday in a loss at Atlanta.

Redskins: Clinton Portis was unable to practice because of a sprained knee, and coach Jim Zorn said the running back is “50-50” for Sunday night’s game against Dallas. Portis bruised his knee on the final play of the first quarter of last week’s 23-6 loss to the Steelers, but returned for the next series and finished the game. The pain got progressively worse after treatment following the game, however, and Zorn said Monday that Portis has a bone bruise on the femur as well as a sprain. Portis is second in the league in rushing with 995 yards on 200 carries.

Bengals: Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth was stunned John Henderson got the same $10,000 fine from the NFL for their on-field fight, even though the Jaguars defensive tackle instigated it. Henderson drew a hands-to-the-face penalty and knocked off Whitworth’s helmet during the third quarter of the Bengals’ 21-19 victory on Nov. 2, Cincinnati’s first win of the season. Henderson then shoved his left hand into the lineman’s unprotected face, apparently trying to gouge his eyes. Whitworth pulled away and took a few left-handed swings at Henderson, who was still wearing his helmet. Both players were ejected and penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Vikings: Cornerback Charles Gordon is considering options for surgery on his broken left ankle. Gordon suffered a gruesome injury while being tackled at the end of a punt return in Sunday’s win over Green Bay. The Vikings placed him on injured reserve Monday afternoon, freeing up a roster spot. They didn’t immediately announce a corresponding move.

Broncos: Next in line in the Broncos’ battered backfield is free agent Alex Haynes, who signed with the team Monday after rookie Ryan Torain was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Torain is the team’s third tailback lost for the season in the last week. Michael Pittman (spinal cord) and Andre Hall (hand) were placed on IR last week, joining Anthony Alridge (leg), who was hurt in the preseason.

Texans: The Texans were so bad in a 41-13 loss to Baltimore that fans flooded local talk radio shows Monday morning calling for coach Gary Kubiak to be fired. This was supposed to be the year for the Texans to contend for a playoff spot. Instead they look headed for another dreadful finish and high draft pick. Kubiak led the team to a 6-10 record in his first season and Houston was 8-8 last year. Simply matching the record from 2006 might be a stretch with the schedule ahead, which includes Indianapolis, Tennessee and Chicago.

Bears: In the aftermath, Rex Grossman had plenty of regrets but no excuses. He missed some opportunities and the Chicago Bears blew a big one in a 21-14 loss to unbeaten Tennessee. Instead of stamping themselves as a contender, they were trying to shake it off in time for a key NFC North game at Green Bay. “There were plays to be made that all of us probably wish we would have had back,” said Grossman, who threw for 173 yards in his first start this season.

Associated Press