ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Bills promoted coordinator Perry Fewell to take over as interim head coach after Dick Jauron was fired Tuesday.
The shake-up came during the players’ day off and after the Bills (3-6) stumbled out of their off week to fall further out of contention with a 41-17 loss at Tennessee last weekend. Celebrating their 50th season, the Bills are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for a 10th consecutive year.
Fewell is in his 12th NFL season, and fourth with Buffalo as the team’s defensive coordinator, after being hired by Jauron, who finished with a 24-33 record over three-plus seasons.
Bills owner Ralph Wilson credited Fewell, who’s never been a head coach at any level, for having done “a great job with our defense and demonstrated excellent leadership skills.”
Chiefs’ Bowe suspended
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs third-year wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing substances.
Agent Todd France said Bowe was guilty only of taking a weight-loss supplement.
“Dwayne did not take a steroid or any other performance-enhancing drug,” France said. “However, he took a diuretic for weight loss, which unfortunately has a negative affect under the league’s policy. Dwayne is sincerely disappointed and apologetic that he let down the Chiefs organization, his teammates and the fans. He looks forward to returning and putting this situation behind him.”
Bowe, who leads the Chiefs with 33 catches, won’t return in time for Kansas City’s home game against the Broncos on Dec. 6 but will be able to play in the Jan. 3 rematch at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Johnson joins Bengals
CINCINNATI — Running back Larry Johnson, who was banished from Kansas City for bad behavior, signed on for a backup role with the Bengals. He might not be watching for long.
A day after coach Marvin Lewis referred to Johnson as an insurance policy in case of injury, he said it’s possible the running back could play in some form Sunday at Oakland if starter Cedric Benson is still limited by a strained hip.
“I’m not saying that it can’t happen, I’m not saying that it will happen, but stay tuned,” Lewis said.
Johnson has his own goal for getting on the field: Dec. 27, when the Bengals play the Chiefs at Paul Brown Stadium.
“I’d be lying if I said I ain’t looking at that game as a game I want to definitely play in, but we take it a game at a time, one situation at a time,” Johnson said. “If that happens, it’d be the best Christmas gift I can get.”
The Bengals waived defensive tackle Orien Harris.
Footnotes.
Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown will miss Thursday night’s game at Carolina because of an injured right foot, and his status for the rest of the regular season is uncertain.
• Reality TV star Tila Tequila filed a lawsuit against Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman alleging domestic violence and seeking $1.5 million in damages.
• The Ravens released kicker Steve Hauschka.
The Associated Press
