Jets’ Robinson Fined $20,000 for Incident

New York Jet safety Damien Robinson was fined $20,000 by the NFL on Wednesday for twisting the facemask of New Orleans Saint quarterback Aaron Brooks on Sunday.

Robinson was flagged for his actions, but Saint tackle Kyle Turley dived into the pile, slammed Robinson’s head into the ground and removed the safety’s helmet.

Turley then threw the helmet upfield, made an obscene gesture and was ejected from the Saints’ 16-9 loss.

Turley was fined $25,000 by the Saints on Tuesday.

“The league had to handle the situation,” Robinson said.

“It was not done purposely. I’m friends with AB. It was part of the game with the game on the line. It became more than it was.

“I would not have pulled on the face mask if I knew I was doing it. I told AB that after the game.”

Jet Coach Herman Edwards was incensed at Robinson’s actions.

“How we conduct ourselves as coaches and players is vital,” Edwards said. “We didn’t conduct ourselves the right way at the end of the game. He represents the football team and this organization, and it’s not just him.

“You’ve got to go by the rules and respect the game, and when you do not do that, it bothers me.”

Last month, Robinson was arrested at Giants Stadium after an assault rifle and ammunition were found in the trunk of his car.

He was fined one game’s pay--about $30,000--by the Jets.

*

Cornerback Dale Carter, suspended for more than a year for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, has been reinstated.

Carter’s reinstatement came a day after he was waived by the Denver Broncos.

*

Buffalo rookie safety Tony Driver will sit out the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his left knee.

Driver was hurt in the Bills’ 30-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

The Bills signed free-agent safety Pierson Prioleau, who started 11 games over the last two seasons for the San Francisco 49ers.

*

Since no one in a four-man tryout was impressive, the New York Giants are replacing injured punter Rodney Williams with backup rookie kicker Owen Pochman, who hasn’t punted in a game since high school.

Pochman won the job by beating out receiver Joe Jurevicius at practice.

*

Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith sat out practice again because of his sprained right knee and is not sure if he will play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

*

The Colts returned to practice without running back Edgerrin James, who has practiced only once since injuring his left knee in the closing minutes of a game at Kansas City on Oct. 25.

James sat out a game for the first time in his NFL career Sunday at Buffalo.

Whether James, the NFL’s two-time rushing champion, returns against Miami on Sunday apparently will be a game-time decision again.