PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AFC : Bengals’ Wilkinson Pleads Innocent to Punching His Pregnant Girlfriend

Cincinnati defensive lineman Dan Wilkinson pleaded innocent Thursday to a charge that he punched his four-months-pregnant girlfriend in the stomach.

The 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman, last year’s top pick in the NFL draft, issued a statement asking for people to leave him alone while he tries to resolve the fight with his live-in girlfriend, Shawnda Lamarr, 20.

She was treated and released at Bethesda North Hospital after her fight Wednesday with Wilkinson at his suburban Symmes Township home, Hamilton County sheriff’s officers said.

“Victim ended up on the floor and then was struck in the stomach,” the sheriff’s report said.

Officers did not know what the couple had argued about, sheriff’s spokesman Col. Dan Wolfangel said.

“What happened last night between the person I love and me is a private matter whose fate is now in the hands of the court,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson, 22, was arrested at his home shortly before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. He was jailed in the Hamilton County Justice Center and then released without bond about 10 p.m.

The misdemeanor charge of domestic violence alleges the victim was caused serious physical harm. Conviction could result in a six-month jail term and $1,000 fine.

“We may not yet know all the details of this specific incident, and until we do it is best not to prejudge the matter,” Cincinnati General Manager Mike Brown said. “We do know enough to have real concerns.”

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The Oakland Raiders got more bad news when it was announced that defensive lineman Nolan Harrison will be out from six to eight weeks because of a disk problem in his back.

Since the start of training camp, the Raiders have lost center Don Mosebar for the season because of an eye injury, left tackle Gerald Perry indefinitely because of a broken arm and kicker Jeff Jaeger indefinitely because of a strained knee. Safety Patrick Bates left the team for personal reasons less than a week before the season opener.

Raider Coach Mike White still wouldn’t take questions from reporters, who declined his offer of another monologue as he had delivered Wednesday, but a Sports Illustrated writer banned from the Raiders’ facility earlier in the week was allowed to return. The Raiders, possibly under pressure from the NFL, lifted a ban against writer Mike Silver.

White’s silent stance this week possibly is because of probable questions about Art Shell, the Kansas City Chief offensive line coach and the man White succeeded as Raider coach. The Raiders and Chiefs, who play Sunday, are tied for the AFC West lead at 2-0.

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Tony Boselli, the rookie offensive tackle from USC who sat out Jacksonville’s exhibition season and first two games because of an injured left knee, has resumed practicing full time and is expected to play Sept. 24 against Green Bay.