Coryatt Gets Hit for $15,000

The NFL on Friday punished Indianapolis Colt linebacker Quentin Coryatt for the third time this season, fining him $15,000 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre last Sunday.

Coryatt, who had a tackle and an assist in the Colts’ 41-38 upset, was penalized on the play for driving his helmet into Favre’s.

“I don’t agree with this at all,” Coryatt said. “Quarterbacks might as well either wear a red jersey or have flags in their pockets.”

The Colt linebacker previously had been fined $7,500 each for hits on Buffalo Bill quarterback Todd Collins and Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Kordell Stewart, who suffered a concussion as a result.

“[The NFL] pretty much tells me you can’t hit the quarterback with your helmet at all,” Coryatt said. “They believe he is a defenseless player, so I guess you have to run up and hug him and drag him to the ground. Or maybe you can be real friendly and kiss him and hope he goes down.”

The 27-year-old outside linebacker is in his sixth year with the Colts since being drafted second overall in 1992 from Texas A&M.;

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Washington Redskin quarterback Gus Frerotte strained his throwing shoulder during practice Friday, but the injury isn’t expected to keep him out of Sunday night’s vital NFC East game against the New York Giants.

“He threw a ball down there on the goal line, and he said he felt a little twinge on his shoulder,” Coach Norv Turner said.

The Redskins (6-5) need to beat the Giants (7-4) to remain in serious contention for the division title. A loss would put the Redskins two games behind with four to play.

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The last time Aaron Craver was a featured back, he set career highs with 108 yards in 20 carries as the Denver Broncos won at Oakland to keep the Raiders out of the playoffs.

Sunday’s circumstances will be vastly different, but Craver will be the featured back for the San Diego Chargers (4-7) when they visit the San Francisco 49ers (10-1).

Craver gets the opportunity because Gary Brown is nursing a sprained right knee and would play only as a backup, if at all.