Plummer Backs Down on Stance Honoring Tillman

Denver quarterback Jake Plummer relented Wednesday, agreeing to adhere to the league’s dress code and remove a sticker from his helmet that honored Pat Tillman, who was killed in the war in Afghanistan after quitting football to join the Army.

“When it comes to honoring Pat, he’s bigger than a sticker on my helmet,” Plummer said. “I don’t like the fact I can’t, but I understand what the league wants to accomplish with its rules and regulations.”

To soften the blow, the NFL said it would not fine Plummer for wearing the sticker Sunday in violation of league rules. Also, the league agreed to let Plummer tape public-service announcements honoring Tillman.

Arizona Sen. John McCain also sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue criticizing the league’s policy.

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Green Bay offensive coordinator Tom Rossley underwent emergency heart surgery to clear at least one blocked artery.

“He’s fine, everything went well,” Coach Mike Sherman said. “He’s at home right now, will probably come in tomorrow.”

Rossley, 58, reported to work Tuesday, hours after the Packers’ 48-27 loss to Tennessee, and said he hadn’t been feeling well overnight, Sherman said. He went to Bellin Hospital in Green Bay, where tests determined he needed an immediate angioplasty.

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Cleveland quarterback Jeff Garcia took exception to a comment Coach Butch Davis made Monday when he described Garcia as being “skittish” during Sunday’s 34-23 loss to Pittsburgh.

“I don’t have a reaction to that,” Garcia said when asked how he felt about Davis’ characterization. “Until he plays the quarterback position, then he [can’t] understand where I am coming from.”

Said Davis: “That’s one of those things where the media takes one word out of 12 paragraphs and paraphrases when it is taken out of context. Jeff and I talked about it and laughed about it.”

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Jason Garrett, an analyst for Fox Sports, signed a contract with Tampa Bay.

Garrett, a quarterback who spent 12 years in the NFL and played in 40 games with Dallas and the New York Giants, was signed as a backup to Brian Griese, who replaced starter Chris Simms in Sunday’s victory at New Orleans.

Simms suffered a sprained left shoulder in the victory over the Saints and is not expected to play Monday at St. Louis.

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Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was lost for the season because of a shoulder injury, the fourth important member of the Panthers to be ruled out for the year.

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Jerry Rice was scheduled to meet with Oakland owner Al Davis to discuss the receiver’s future after he said he wanted to be traded.

“If there’s something that can be done, it will be done,” Coach Norv Turner said after a conversation with Rice. “Everything’s too vague right now for me to get into any specifics. He’s expressed his wishes and we’ll just see what happens.”

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Lawyer Milloy practiced for the first time in six weeks, but the Buffalo safety is unlikely to be ready for Sunday’s game against Miami. Milloy wore a carbon-fiber cast to protect the right forearm he broke in an exhibition game in August.

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Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler said he’s uncertain whether a cracked rib will prevent him from playing Sunday at Buffalo. If Fiedler doesn’t start, A.J. Feeley said he’ll be ready to step in.... The Dolphins also signed kicker Matt Bryant to replace the injured Olindo Mare.... New York Jet receiver Santana Moss is questionable for Sunday’s game against San Francisco because of a strained right hamstring.