Browns’ Hillis gets hurt again; Woodley is out

Associated Press

BEREA

Browns running back Peyton Hillis re-injured his left hamstring in practice, making his return after missing two games unlikely.

Hillis pulled up following a running play in practice on Friday. He fired the ball to the ground and then flung his helmet in frustration before being escorted back to the team’s facility by a trainer. Hillis only returned to practice Thursday for the first time since last week.

The Browns (3-4) had hoped he would be back for this Sunday’s game at Houston, but it appears he will have to sit it out.

Hillis’ second season in Cleveland has been a disaster. He has been involved in a contract squabble with the club and missed a game earlier this season with strep throat.

Steelers

PITTSBURGH

Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley will not play Sunday night in the AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens due to a hamstring injury sustained in last week’s win over New England.

Pittsburgh’s other former Pro Bowl outside linebacker, though, is expected to play for the first time in a month. James Harrison has missed the past four games with a broken orbital bone, but is probable and will play barring a setback in a doctor’s examination Saturday.

Also ruled out for Pittsburgh was wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who had a knee injury and has not been with the team since learning of the death of his mother on Tuesday. Guard Doug Legursky will miss his third game in a row due to a foot injury.

NFL FINES

NEW YORK

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark was fined $15,000 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness.

Clark hit Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski late and out of bounds during Pittsburgh’s 25-17 victory over New England.

Also fined Friday was Houston Texans offensive tackle Duane Brown for throwing a punch at Jaguars LB Clint Session.

Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS

The Vikings are disputing a reading of their lease that suggests they might have to play in the Metrodome for one more season.

Vice president Lester Bagley says the team is on “firm legal footing” in its understanding that the lease expires after this season.

The head of the commission that runs the Metrodome, Ted Mondale, told reporters the commission’s lawyers believe a clause in the lease triggers a one-year extension if the team is forced to play elsewhere for part of a season.