AROUND THE LEAGUE

Denver Bronco offensive lineman Dan Neil was fined $15,000 for an illegal block that broke Bryan Cox’s right leg during Denver’s 31-20 victory over the New England Patriots last weekend.

No penalty was called on the play, but NFL director of football operations Gene Washington said Neil clipped the New England linebacker “from behind and below the knee.”

As he limped off the field, Cox shouted at Neil and later vowed to blow out Neil’s knee if the two ever face each other again. Denver is scheduled to play at New England next season.

Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan questioned whether Neil even made contact with Cox, who jumped in the air as Neil was near his feet. Neil will appeal the decision.

“Dan said he didn’t touch him,” Shanahan said. “There’s a few people that feel that there wasn’t contact. There’s a few people that feel that he got his back leg--not his front leg that he broke.”

Also Thursday, the league fined Bronco linebacker Al Wilson $5,000 for hitting New England quarterback Tom Brady in the shoulder after a Patriot touchdown.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars suspended defensive lineman Larry Smith for Sunday’s game against Tennessee for violating team rules.

Coach Tom Coughlin did not disclose the nature of the violation when he announced the suspension. Smith will not practice with the team until the suspension is over.

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The Miami Dolphins released cornerback Ben Kelly after he fell out of favor with Coach Dave Wannstedt because of his work ethic.

“His performance and commitment, on and off the field, is not what I expect,” Wannstedt said. “We’re all accountable. We all have to prove ourselves week in and week out. This isn’t a sometime thing. It’s an all the time thing.”

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The Oakland Raiders lost a bid to revive their lawsuit against the NFL, 16 teams and others for alleged mismanagement.

The Santa Clara County Appeals Court upheld a 1999 trial court ruling that dismissed the suit against the NFL, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and several other related parties.