Viking, Packer Players Fined for Scuffle

Six players were fined a total of $40,000 Friday for their roles in the sideline scuffle that marred the end of the Minnesota Viking-Green Bay Packer game Sunday night.

Antuan Edwards, Mike McKenzie and Nate Wayne of the Packers and Hunter Goodwin, Jim Kleinsasser and Chris Walsh of the Vikings were fined. All said they would appeal, except for Walsh and Wayne, who refused comment.

Packer defensive tackle Cletidus Hunt was not fined, despite running across the field to join the fray before the final play was over in Green Bay’s 26-22 victory.

The Vikings were miffed that Hunt escaped punishment altogether.

“You’ve got a guy who comes off the field in the middle of the play, runs past the field at our bench, and he doesn’t get a lick?” Kleinsasser said.

There had been some concern in Green Bay earlier in the week that Hunt might even be suspended. He can be seen on film hitting Goodwin in the face with an open hand as the fight was breaking up.

“They made the right call,” Hunt said with a laugh Friday. “Now, I can tease some of the guys.”

Edwards was fined $5,000 for hitting Walsh after the Viking receiver had caught the ball and taken a knee, declaring himself down with one second left in the game to give his team a chance for one long last pass.

The Vikings were infuriated with Edwards’ hit and said that’s what sparked the fight.

McKenzie was fined $5,000 for striking an opponent “who was obviously out of the play,” and Wayne was fined $5,000 for hitting Viking receiver Randy Moss in the back on the final play of the game, a 66-yard interception return by Darren Sharper that fueled the fight.

Goodwin and Kleinsasser both were fined $10,000 for leaving the sideline and striking an opponent, and Walsh was fined $5,000 for hitting Marques Anderson in the back during Sharper’s return.

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Philadelphia Eagle defensive end Brandon Whiting sprained his ankle in practice and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins.

“He rolled it a bit and we got him up there and got ice on it right away,” Coach Andy Reid said. “We’ll just see how it is. It doesn’t seem real severe, but we’ll see.”

Whiting, a five-year veteran, has started every game at defensive end this season. If he is unable to play, Reid said N.D. Kalu would start in his place.

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Seattle Seahawk quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is expected to start against Atlanta on Sunday after spraining his left foot during last weekend’s loss to Philadelphia.

Hasselbeck took almost all the snaps with the first team at practice Friday. His foot was in a boot Monday through Wednesday and he returned to practice Thursday.

“I think he’ll play,” Coach Mike Holmgren said. “I think he’s going to start, but we’ll see how he feels [today]. “He’s throwing the ball well. If he can play and run around, he’ll start.”

Jeff George, who has not played this season, would start if Hasselbeck cannot play.