Cowboys’ Williams suspended one game

Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams on Monday was suspended without pay for one game by the NFL after his third illegal “horse collar” tackle of the season.

Williams, whose use of the tactic led to the league’s passing a rule making it a 15-yard penalty, did it against Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb in the Cowboys’ 10-6 loss on Sunday. He will sit out Saturday night’s game at Carolina, which will cost him $37,187 -- one game’s salary.

Grabbing the inside collar of the back or side of the shoulder pads or jersey and immediately pulling down a runner brings a 15-yard personal foul.

This was the fourth violation of the rule by Williams in the last two seasons.

--

An MRI exam confirmed the Oakland Raiders’ Justin Fargas sprained a ligament in his right knee in the team’s 21-14 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday, shutting him down for the season’s final two games.

The Raiders (4-10) will rely on Dominic Rhodes and LaMont Jordan on Sunday against Jacksonville and in the season finale at San Diego. Coach Lane Kiffin said he hadn’t decided who would start or whether they would split playing time.

Fargas finished the season with 222 carries for 1,009 yards despite starting only seven games. A backup for most of his first four seasons in the NFL, Fargas has 676 yards rushing since he took over the starting role Nov. 4, second-best in the league to the 694 for San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson.

Neither Rhodes nor Jordan got much playing time before Fargas injured his knee just before scoring the touchdown that briefly gave the Raiders a lead over the Colts in the fourth quarter.

--

Rookie running back Chris Henry returned to the Tennessee Titans after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances, Coach Jeff Fisher said.

Henry fought his suspension before dropping his appeal for a positive test involving a substance added to the league’s banned list within the last year. He still ranks fourth on the team with 104 yards in 22 carries with two touchdowns.

Fisher said the Titans have requested a roster exemption through the weekend, which they can lift at any time once they determine Henry’s physical condition.