McAlister Benched for Charger Game

Starting cornerback Chris McAlister of the Baltimore Ravens will not play in Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers after violating team rules, Coach Brian Billick said Friday.

Although team officials would not comment on the specifics of the violation, a team source told the Baltimore Sun that McAlister broke the club’s curfew Thursday night and skipped Friday morning’s team meeting.

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Tampa Bay wide receiver Keenan McCardell was fined $12,500 by the NFL for two illegal blocks, including one that sidelined Carolina defensive end Kavika Pittman for the rest of the season. Pittman tore the anterior and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee

McCardell, who was cited for using an illegal crackback block on a running play during the first quarter of last Sunday’s 12-9 overtime loss to the Panthers, has filed an appeal of the fine.

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Coach Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos said that he expects quarterback Jake Plummer to start Monday night’s game against the Oakland Raiders because his mildly separated throwing shoulder has improved each day since he injured it during last Sunday’s victory at San Diego.... Pittsburgh Steeler linebacker Joey Porter will start Sunday’s game at Cincinnati, three weeks after being wounded in a drive-by shooting in Denver.... Washington Redskin cornerback Fred Smoot returned to practice one day after being hospitalized briefly with a mild concussion suffered when he collided with safety Matt Bowen during practice. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.