Moulds Suspended for a Game by Bills

Buffalo Bill receiver Eric Moulds was suspended without pay for Sunday’s game against New England, apparently for a sideline dispute with an assistant during last week’s loss to Miami.

“Eric hasn’t practiced this week so he won’t be ready to play Sunday. He is suspended for one game without pay,” owner Ralph Wilson said Thursday after a meeting with Moulds and Coach Mike Mularkey at Orchard Park, N.Y.

“From there on, he’ll be back and will play the final three games of the season, which I hope we’ll do better than we have so far.”

Moulds’ advisor, Greg Johnson, said the player accepted Wilson’s decision. Johnson said the one-game suspension would cost Moulds about $93,000. As part of the suspension, Moulds will not practice with the team for the rest of the week.

Mularkey had barred Moulds from practice the last two days. Mularkey would not say why he was punishing Moulds, but it’s believed to stem from an argument between the player and receiver coach Tyke Tolbert during Buffalo’s 24-23 loss at Miami.

Johnson said the dispute occurred when Moulds left the field with pain in his Achilles’ tendon. Moulds wanted to have the tendon examined by a trainer when Tolbert asked him to go back on the field, Johnson said. Moulds declined and was benched for most of the final three quarters.

Moulds failed to make a catch in the game, ending his streak for receptions at a franchise-record 121 games. It was the fourth-longest active streak, a list led by Indianapolis’ Marvin Harrison at 151.

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Though not an official changing of the guard, Carolina running back Stephen Davis admitted that DeShaun Foster was the best man for the job and should start at running back Sunday when the Panthers play host to Tampa Bay.

“I’m pretty sure that’s going to happen,” Davis said. “I’ve just got to stay positive about the whole situation and I’m happy for him. He deserves the opportunity to start.”

Coach John Fox offered no comment.

Davis is still officially listed as the starter, but that has been a mere formality the last three weeks. Davis has only 16 carries for 39 yards, while Foster has run 54 times for 246 yards.

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Denver Bronco safety John Lynch won’t be fined or suspended for his hit on receiver Eddie Kennison in Sunday’s game at Kansas City, the team said. Lynch received an unnecessary-roughness penalty for what was ruled a helmet-to helmet hit on Kennison in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs scored the winning touchdown on the next play.

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Though he would not confirm Jeff Garcia as the starting quarterback. Detroit Lion interim Coach Dick Jauron said he expected Garcia to recover from a 17-for-35, 126-yard passing day Sunday in a loss to Minnesota.... Tennessee Titan quarterback Steve McNair sat out a second straight practice because of a sore left shin and sprained ankle, but Coach Jeff Fisher said he expected him to play Sunday against Houston.... New York Jet quarterback Jay Fiedler will undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. He was hurt in September and has been sidelined since then.... St. Louis Ram cornerback Terry Fair, whose comeback was stalled by a neck injury, was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Fair, 29, didn’t play in 2003 or 2004 because of injuries.