Carrier Remains Suspended

The NFL on Friday upheld the one-game suspension of Detroit Lions safety Mark Carrier, whose helmet-to-helmet hit gave Tampa Bay wide receiver Brice Hunter a concussion.

Commissioner Paul Tagliabue denied the appeal after a one-hour hearing with Carrier via conference call.

Carrier will be suspended without pay for Detroit’s game at Chicago on Sunday. He cannot take part in any team functions while under suspension.

The suspension will cost Carrier about $25,000, or one week of his base salary of $475,000.

In a letter to Carrier explaining his decision, Tagliabue wrote, “I conclude that both the repeat character of your violations from the 1992 season to the present and the risk of injury to you and opposing players presented by tacking or hitting techniques of this type support a one-game suspension.”

Carrier’s hit, for which no penalty was called, came during the second quarter of the Lions’ 27-6 victory Monday night. The game was delayed about 10 minutes while Hunter was treated on the field.

Hunter was released later that night from a Pontiac hospital but is expected to miss the Buccaneers’ game Sunday against the New York Giants.

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As many 21 players and two coaches on the Green Bay Packers reportedly are being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service for not disclosing autograph income.

Milwaukee station WITI-TV did not identify any of the players or coaches. The station also said the IRS is investigating other professional athletes in the Milwaukee area, current and former, who were paid to participate in autograph sessions.

IRS spokesman Ted Reis declined to confirm or deny the report. Packers spokesman Lee Remmel said that Coach Mike Holmgren had warned players that if they hadn’t reported autograph income, they should amend their tax returns and pay any penalties and interest.

Several players confirmed Holmgren’s admonishments came last week before the Packers (4-0) traveled to Carolina to play the Panthers. None of them acknowledged being a target.

“Mike chatted with us about it,” defensive end Reggie White told the Associated Press. “It’s not an issue that we’re going to go into because we are focusing on this season. Guys will get that straight.”

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Irving Fryar came away from a minor traffic accident with a slightly pulled back muscle and expects to be able play for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

The 36-year-old wide receiver was driving to practice Thursday when his car was rear-ended by another vehicle on a highway in Cherry Hill, N.J. He was treated at a hospital and released.

AFC / Ready for the Tennessee Fury? The Tennessee Oilers have applied for trademarks for seven new nicknames: the Pioneers, Tradition, Fury, Wolves, Vipers, Commanders and Presidents.

The name would be preceded by Tennessee in all cases.

Additionally, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Commercial Appeal of Memphis that the league has applied for an unspecified number of other nicknames for the Oilers.

Team owner Bud Adams said earlier this year he planned to change the name in December because Oilers was used in Houston and does not reflect their new home in Nashville. He has appointed a 13-member committee to make recommendations to him.