After seeing the videotape of Terrell Owens’ latest touchdown celebration, the NFL office wasn’t laughing.
Owens said Wednesday he was fined “a good chunk of money” – which he later defined as thousands of dollars – for a celebration that included him using the goalpost and football to poke fun at the New England Patriots’ spying scandal during Dallas’ 37-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
A league spokesman said the fine was $7,500.
“It wasn’t even the fact I used the goalpost as a prop,” Owens said. “They said I used the ball.”
Beyond being confused about what he can and can’t do, Owens is frustrated by the league’s policing of end zone scenes.
“It’s kind of hard to understand the rules,” he said. “It’s like you can’t do nothing no more. … Dude, it’s like they’re trying to find any way to take the fun out of the game. So I’m kind of limited right now as far as what I can do.”
Owens said he will consider an appeal, but “it may not even be worth it.”
How about saving his act until he gets to the sideline? “I guess so,” he said. “Next, they’re going to be saying you can’t go to the sidelines.”
Texans: Receiver Andre Johnson ruled out playing against the Indianapolis Colts this week as he recovers from a sprained knee. Rookie Jacoby Jones, who has two catches for 33 yards, will probably start in Johnson’s place.
Jets: Quarterback Chad Pennington said he’s hoping his injured right ankle has healed enough for him to play Sunday against the Dolphins.
“My goal is to be available. … I’ll leave the decision up to coach,” Pennington said.
Vikings: Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (groin) did not practice and veteran Kelly Holcomb could be leapfrogging incumbent backup Brooks Bollinger on the depth chart.
Coach Brad Childress hinted he has decided who will play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but said he would not divulge that until later in the week.
“I hate to be evasive,” Childress said with a wry grin. “But I’m evasive.”
Redskins: Randy Thomas had surgery on his torn left triceps. The right guard will wear a splint for six weeks and could possibly play in 10 to 12 weeks.
Raiders: Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess missed practice with a calf injury and his status for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns is in doubt.
Eagles: Released after his muffed punt led to a loss at Green Bay in the season opener, J.R. Reed re-signed with Philadelphia to provide depth in a banged-up secondary.
All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins suffered a neck stringer in Monday night’s 20-12 loss to Washington, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions is uncertain.
Bears: Chicago terminated punter Dirk Johnson’s contract and re-signed cornerback Ade Jimoh.
Giants: Mark Ingram, a receiver on New York’s team that won the 1991 Super Bowl, was ordered to stand trial on charges he broke into a garage and stole a woman’s purse.
A judge in Flint, Mich., ruled there was enough evidence for Ingram to go to trial on charges of larceny of more than $1,000 and first-degree home invasion.
