NEW YORK — Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will be fined but not suspended by the NFL after meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell about a hit on Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Wilfork met Tuesday with Goodell and the commissioner decided to forgo a possible suspension. The NFL declined comment, noting fines and suspensions normally are announced on Fridays.
Wilfork was summoned before Goodell after the Broncos claimed tape of New England’s 41-7 victory Oct. 20 showed Wilfork elbowing Cutler in the helmet.
However, the tapes that were reviewed during the hearing did not show that clearly, upholding New England’s contention there was no intent to injure. They also showed Wilfork helping up Cutler and patting him on the back after the play.
“I think both sides were happy,” Wilfork said Wednesday. “He got a chance to hear my side of my story of how I approach the game. I got a chance to hear what he had to say about the whole situation of my past history and playing football and all that good stuff. So I think we both left pretty happy.”
Cowboys staying with Johnson
IRVING, Texas — Quarterback Brad Johnson will make his third start in a row for the Cowboys on Sunday when they face the Giants.
“We think we can go with Brad and see what happens,” coach Wade Phillips said.
If Johnson plays like he did the past two Sundays, he might give way to third-stringer Brooks Bollinger, who got some work with the first team during practice.
Meanwhile, tight end Jason Witten watched practice in shorts and a sweat shirt, resting his broken rib. Phillips said he is not ruling Witten out just yet.
Jackson’s return questionable
ST. LOUIS — Rams coach Jim Haslett was optimistic early in the week about Steven Jackson’s return, but now it looks like the running back’s thigh injury is healing more slowly than was anticipated.
Haslett was guarded after Jackson began practice with the first unit but then had his work scaled back. Jackson leads the Rams in rushing with 508 yards and four touchdowns.
“That’s going to be a day-to-day thing, just see how he feels when he’s running,” Haslett said. “But he did a couple of things today and I think he did OK.”
Haslett said Jackson, cornerback Tye Hill (knee) and defensive linemen Adam Carriker (ankle) and Leonard Little (hamstring) would be “question marks” for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals.
Same injury, but new toe for McFadden
ALAMEDA, Calif. — For weeks, Darren McFadden was slowed by a turf toe injury on his right foot. Now that he has that almost under control, the Raiders running back is dealing with a turf toe injury on his other foot.
McFadden hopes to get the latest injury under control in time to play Sunday against the Falcons.
• Fired coach Lane Kiffin filed a grievance with the NFL to claim the lost salary he maintains he is still owed by the Raiders.
Footnotes.
Colts safety Bob Sanders (ankle), running back Joseph Addai (hamstring) and cornerback Kelvin Hayden (knee) practiced and could play Sunday against the Patriots.
• The Lions worked out quarterback Daunte Culpepper, prompting coach Rod Marinelli to say: “He moved around good. Good feet and all those things. . . . We’ll see how things work out.”
• Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will miss his fourth consecutive week because his hyperextended right knee is still weak, but coach Mike Holmgren said he sees “light at the end of the tunnel.”
• Panthers kicker John Kasay received a four-year contract extension through the 2012 season.
• Falcons offensive tackle Sam Baker will have surgery on his back today, leaving his status for the rest of the season uncertain.
• Jaguars guard Chris Naeole will have season-ending surgery on his right hand today.
