Porter fined for his remarks to Winslow

Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter has been fined $10,000 by the NFL for what league spokesman Steve Alic called “vulgar, inexcusable statements” to Cleveland’s Kellen Winslow after the Steelers’ 27-7 win over the Browns last Thursday.

Incensed by a late hit on one of his teammates in the fourth quarter by Winslow, Porter made a derogatory slur questioning the Cleveland tight end’s sexual orientation after the game.

The fine was announced Thursday.

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Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme sat out practice again, increasing the chances that Chris Weinke will start this week’s game against the Steelers.

Delhomme sat out his first game since 2003 on Sunday when damaged ligaments in his right thumb forced him to miss the Panthers’ loss to the New York Giants.

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Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan took part in individual drills on Thursday for the second straight day, the first time that has happened since the New York Giants veteran sprained his right foot against Houston early last month. Strahan has sat out the last five games.

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Cincinnati Bengals linebacker David Pollack will need surgery for the cracked bone in his neck, probably ending his football career.

Pollack cracked the bone while making a tackle against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 17 and was put in a halo brace that immobilized his neck. Doctors told him that if the fracture healed without surgery, he could resume his career.

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Chicago Bears defensive tackle Terry “Tank” Johnson was charged with possession of a firearm without proper identification after police said they found six guns at his Gurnee home.

The misdemeanor charge carries a potential penalty of up to a year in jail, said Jeff Pavletic, first assistant state’s attorney in Lake County.

Johnson turned himself in to Gurnee police, posted bond and was released Thursday evening, Police Chief Robert Jones said.

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A 17-year-old girl who claims she had an almost two-year sexual relationship with Miami Dolphins rookie Marcus Vick has filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of sexual battery upon a minor, fraud and other charges.

The lawsuit -- filed Wednesday in Montgomery County (Va.) Circuit Court -- states that the girl was a 15-year-old honor student at Christiansburg High when she first had sex with Vick in January 2004 while he was a quarterback at Virginia Tech.

Lawrence Woodward, a Virginia Beach attorney representing Vick, said Vick is aware of the case and will deal with it through the courts.

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The San Diego Chargers signed receiver Az-Zahir Hakim to a one-year contract and put receiver Malcolm Floyd on injured reserve. Hakim was released by the Detroit Lions on Oct. 31.... Indianapolis Colts receiver Brandon Stokley will sit out the rest of the season after being put on injured reserve because of an injured right Achilles’ tendon.