Lewis Fined $12,500 for Hit on Johnson

New York Jet linebacker Mo Lewis, who has knocked two quarterbacks out of games in the last three weeks, was fined $12,500 Thursday by the NFL for a forearm-to-helmet hit on Buffalo’s Rob Johnson on Sunday.

The play occurred late in the first quarter at the end of a 17-yard run by Johnson. The Bills’ quarterback left the game with a pinched nerve in his neck. No penalty flag was thrown on the play.

Lewis rarely makes himself available for comment during the week and was not available Thursday.

Jet Coach Herman Edwards said the team plans to appeal the fine in defense of Lewis, who didn’t appear to have any intent to injure Johnson.

“We’re going to fight it,” Edwards said. “We’ll say what we feel and see what happens.”

On Sept. 23, Lewis knocked New England quarterback Drew Bledsoe out of a game in the fourth quarter with a legal hit along the sideline as Bledsoe scrambled. Bledsoe, who suffered internal injuries, still has not returned to the field.

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Carolina Panther rookie safety Jarrod Cooper was fined $5,000 by the NFL for fighting with San Francisco’s Derrick Deese.

Both players were ejected from Sunday night’s game. The fight occurred in the second quarter when Cooper went after guard Ray Brown after a play and Deese rushed in to help.

Deese threw a punch at Cooper, who had lost his helmet, and tackled him to the ground.

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Trent Dilfer will start at quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks for one more week while Matt Hasselbeck recovers from a groin injury, Coach Mike Holmgren said.

Dilfer, who led the Seahawks (2-2) to a 24-15 victory over Jacksonville last weekend, will start Sunday against Denver (3-1) at Husky Stadium.

“I just think over the long haul that this is the best way to do it,” Holmgren said. “Matt really wanted to play, and I’m sure he could play. But this way, I know for sure that he’ll be healthy for the next one.”

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Tennessee Titan running back Eddie George wanted to practice Thursday and even had his gear on, but his sprained ankle limited him to just warming up.

The winless Titans listed George as questionable for Sunday’s home game against Tampa Bay, but Coach Jeff Fisher said the running back’s condition improved over the last 24 hours.

“If he improves like he did from yesterday to today, then I’d say he’s got a chance,” Fisher said.

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New York Giant halfback Ron Dayne, who missed the second half of Sunday’s game against Washington because of a concussion, returned to practice.

Dayne thinks he will play against the Rams in St. Louis on Sunday, but Coach Jim Fassel isn’t so sure.

“I’m still nervous about it,” Fassel said. “Anytime you get a guy injured, if he’s missed some practice going into a game, you have to adjust some things.”