Rolle’s Antics Against Jets Prove Costly

Cornerback Samari Rolle of the Tennessee Titans was fined $12,500 by the NFL on Thursday for a throat-slash gesture and celebrating an interception during Monday night’s game against the New York Jets. He said he plans to appeal both fines.

Rolle was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after intercepting a pass in the end zone during the first quarter of the Titans’ 24-17 loss. He waved his right hand twice near his neck, was flagged by the officials and fined $5,000 for the banned throat-slash gesture.

Rolle said he was also fined $7,500, apparently for high-fiving teammate Andre Dyson after intercepting the pass in the end zone.

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Middle linebacker Zach Thomas of the Miami Dolphins was added to the injury report because of a sore hip, and his status for Sunday’s game at New England is questionable.

Thomas, who twisted a hip muscle during practice Wednesday, worked out on a limited basis Thursday, Coach Dave Wannstedt said.

“I’m doing everything I can to get back on the field,” Thomas said. “It may be a game-day decision on whether I play Sunday.”

Thomas probably would be replaced by Tommy Hendricks, who has started one game this season.

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Houston quarterback David Carr was limited to short tosses for a second day because of a shoulder injury, and running back Domanick Davis was held out of practice because of a thigh injury.

The slow recovery of Carr and Davis could force the Texans to use rookies Dave Ragone at quarterback and Tony Hollings at tailback against Jacksonville on Sunday.

Carr was unable to increase his practice workload from Wednesday, when he was limited to short soft-tosses and running handoff plays because of a sprained right shoulder.

Ragone, a third-round pick out of Louisville who has yet to take a regular-season snap, ran all the passing plays.

Meanwhile, Davis’ bruised right thigh forced him out of practice altogether, except for light running on the side.

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The FBI is investigating hate mail sent to black NFL players and other prominent black men during the last year.

A memo sent Nov. 18 to all NFL teams by the league’s security department said all the threatening letters came from the same person and were postmarked Cleveland, Youngstown, Ohio, and Erie, Pa.

“The memo went out to head coaches, who were asked to share the information with security personnel and players,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. “The memo mentioned only six instances. It’s an ongoing FBI investigation.”

Special agent Robert Hawk of the FBI’s Cleveland office said more than 30 “racially hateful letters” were sent to “high-profile people in their respective communities.”

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Tennessee defensive end Jevon Kearse practiced for the first time since spraining his left ankle Nov. 16, while Titan receiver Drew Bennett participated in his first practice since straining a calf muscle on Oct. 26.