McAlister Is Fined $5,000 for Taunting

Cornerback Chris McAlister of the Baltimore Ravens was fined $5,000 by the NFL on Friday for taunting the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday during his interception return for a touchdown.

The disciplinary action is for unsportsmanlike conduct. It is McAlister’s third fine this season, and his first from the league.

McAlister pointed the football toward the Cardinals’ offense after his second interception of former Baltimore starting quarterback Jeff Blake.

He turned around at the 25-yard line and coasted backward into the end zone to complete an 83-yard return.

McAlister, a former first-round draft pick from Arizona, was fined $5,000 for missing a day of training camp after being charged with driving under the influence.

Earlier this season, he was benched for the game against the San Diego Chargers for breaking curfew and missing a team meeting. He was fined the maximum allowable amount by the team, which wasn’t disclosed.

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The Minnesota Vikings signed Jose Cortez to handle kickoffs for Aaron Elling, who has been bothered by back spasms. Elling will still attempt field goals and extra points Sunday against Denver unless he has a setback before the game, Coach Mike Tice said.

Cortez, the former kicker for the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL, was cut during training camp by Kansas City.

He had 101 points for San Francisco in 2001, but the 49ers released him after 10 games last season. He made 18 of 24 field goals, missing two potential game-winning kicks.

Washington signed Cortez for the last four games of 2002, and he made five of eight field goals for the Redskins.

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Rookie tailback Domanick Davis will make his first NFL start for the Houston Texans Sunday against the New York Jets, replacing veteran Stacey Mack.

Davis was drafted out of LSU mostly for his skills as a kick returner and has impressed coaches with his playmaking ability.

Davis, 5-foot-9 and 216 pounds, has 171 yards in 35 carries, and 13 catches. Mack has rushed for only 211 yards in 79 carries.

Davis will be Houston’s fourth starting running back in the franchise’s first 22 games. Last season, James Allen and Jonathan Wells shared duties. Allen is out of the league, and Wells is relegated to special teams.