Dolphins, Raiders Escape Land of Mediocrity : Notes: Injury sidelines Chargers’ Billy Ray Smith. Tagliabue’s decision on Dickerson pending.

Linebacker Billy Ray Smith likely will be sidelined for at least a month with a pulled stomach muscle that was reinjured last week, San Diego Chargers Coach Dan Henning said.

“He will probably go on injured reserve,” Henning said Monday. “He’s had this before. Based on the patient’s history, the doctors have informed me that it’s at least a four-week injury.”

Smith strained the abdominal muscle in the Chargers’ season-opening 17-14 loss at Dallas and reinjured himself in the first half of last Sunday’s 21-16 loss to Cincinnati.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue met with Eric Dickerson and Indianapolis Colts General Manager Jim Irsay on Monday but didn’t make an immediate decision on the running back’s suspension.

Dickerson, placed on the non-football injury list Aug. 29 after refusing to take a physical, had nothing to say after a three-hour meeting at the NFL offices.

Dickerson, the seventh-leading rusher in NFL history with 11,236 yards, can’t be activated until Oct. 17, in time for an Oct. 21 game against Denver. Dickerson has had an injured left hamstring, but says the injury has healed.

Tagliabue also has warned Atlanta Falcons coach Jerry Glanville that he will be fined if he continues criticizing opposing coaches.

Bobby Hebert, the New Orleans Saints former starting quarterback who has vowed he would never again play for the Saints, would return to the team under the right circumstances, his agent says.

And Jim Finks, the Saints president and general manager, says he’s still willing to discuss Hebert’s status with the team.