Moss Faces New Charge

Receiver Randy Moss of the Minnesota Vikings was charged Tuesday with possession of a small amount of marijuana, adding to charges last week that he pushed a traffic officer with his car.

The new petty misdemeanor count carries a fine of up to $200, but it could also lead to a suspension or fine from the NFL.

Police said they found a marijuana cigarette in Moss’ car after he was arrested Sept. 24. Moss was driving in downtown Minneapolis when the traffic officer stepped in front of his car to stop him from making an illegal turn. She was slightly injured when she fell off the car.

Moss spent the night in jail and was charged the next day with careless driving and with failure to obey a traffic officer, both misdemeanors.

The complaint said the marijuana amounted to just under a gram. Moss has said the marijuana did not belong to him and that he had allowed other people to use his car recently.

ESPN reported Sunday that Moss was already in the league’s substance-abuse program for testing positive for marijuana last year, and underwent another test by the NFL after his arrest last week.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league would review the case.

*

Miami Dolphin linebacker Derrick Rodgers can avert jail time under a plea agreement released Tuesday on charges he kicked and punched his wife and hit a man with a chair at a restaurant.

Rodgers would serve five years of probation if he accepts the deal offered to his attorney Sept. 5.

*

The New York Jets, who spent lavishly in the last six weeks to re-sign three key players, have the NFL’s highest payroll at $87,343,231, according to figures compiled by the NFL Players Assn.

The Green Bay Packers’ payroll of $39,720,069 is the lowest.

*

Ed McGah Jr., a limited partner in the Oakland Raiders’ ownership group for five decades, died Monday on his 81st birthday.