Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams was suspended without pay for one game Monday by the NFL after his third illegal “horse collar” tackle of the season.
Williams, whose use of the tactic led to the league passing a rule making it a 15-yard penalty, did it against Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb in Sunday’s 10-6 loss. He will miss Saturday night’s game at Carolina, which will cost him $35,000 — one week’s salary.
“What he’s used to doing is grabbing them, because he’s so strong with his hands,” coach Wade Phillips said. “He hasn’t been able to break that habit, obviously.”
Gibbs open to extension with Redskins.
Asked about returning next season as a lame duck coach — in which he and all of his assistants would be in the final year of their contracts — Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs opened the door to negotiating a contract extension with owner Dan Snyder.
“I’m sure that that’ll be something that Dan and I kind of go over,” Gibbs said. “I think that happens quite often when you come up — you’ve still got a year left and redo things. That’s why you re-up before the last year’s over with.”
Gibbs is 29-35, including 1-1 in the playoffs, since emerging from retirement in 2004. He turned 67 last month and is the oldest head coach in the NFL.
Linebacker Rocky McIntosh is out for the season — and possibly all of next season — with torn ligaments in his left knee.
Spikes has torn rotator cuff.
Linebacker Takeo Spikes suffered a torn rotator cuff in Philadelphia’s win over Dallas.
“We’ll just see how he does, if we manage it or not,” coach Andy Reid said. “We’ll see how he’s able to handle that.”
Also, tight end Matt Schobel (concussion) and guard Shawn Andrews (knee) could be back for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
Ravens staying with Boller.
Determined to end the longest current losing streak in the NFL at eight, Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick intends to start Kyle Boller at quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks instead of promoting rookie backup Troy Smith.
“Kyle, clearly, in my opinion, gives us the best chance to win the game,” Billick said.
Dolphins could lose linebacker Crowder.
Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder will have his sore left knee scoped today and could miss the remainder of the season.
Henry returns to Titans.
Tennessee rookie running back Chris Henry returned to the Titans after serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.
Coach Jeff Fisher said Henry was back in the team’s building and stayed in good shape.
“He missed being around. He’s looking forward to contributing again,” Fisher said.
Ticketmaster to resell tickets.
Ticketmaster plans to launch a website next year where people can resell tickets to pro football games, the latest push by the event ticketing company into the lucrative secondary ticket market.
The company signed a multiyear deal with the NFL that includes branding and promotion for the site, Ticketmaster said. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Former lineman arrested in gambling probe
SOMERVILLE, N.J. — Former NFL lineman Todd Burger was one of five men arrested during the weekend in a bust of an alleged Internet gambling operation. Burger, who played guard for the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, allegedly collected gambling debts for suspect Anthony “Cheese” Pecoraro.
