League fines Light, Crowder

Matt Light of New England and Channing Crowder of Miami were fined $15,000 apiece by the NFL on Wednesday for what the league called “a verbal and physical altercation” on Sunday.

Neither will be suspended, the league said.

Light punched Crowder several times after the Dolphins linebacker shoved him on a Patriots field-goal attempt late in a 48-28 win over Miami.

“That matter is kind of a closed deal now,” Light said after the decision was announced. “Obviously, I’m not happy with what my actions were and I don’t think that was the way to go.”

Gene Washington, the NFL’s director of football operations, assessed the fines after reviewing the tussle.

It occurred after Light blocked Crowder, whose helmet fell off, on Stephen Gostkowski’s 30-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

Light and Crowder pushed each other in the face before Light grabbed Crowder’s dreadlocks in his left hand and hit him three times on the head with his right. Crowder broke free and ran away with a huge grin. Both received personal foul penalties and were ejected.

Bears’ Vasher has fractured hand

Chicago Bears defensive back Nathan Vasher has a fractured right hand and will miss Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings when the teams meet at the Metrodome for first place in the NFC North.

Vasher, sidelined for three games this season with an injury to his right wrist and thumb, was hurt Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

Bears Coach Lovie Smith said Vasher also re-injured his thumb.

“He’ll be out for a while,” Smith said, adding no surgery is required right now.

Quinn is put on injured reserve

The Cleveland Browns put quarterback Brady Quinn on injured reserve after he did more damage to his broken right index finger by trying to play in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.

Quinn had made only three starts, and the finger may now require surgery.

“I knew [further damage] was a consequence if I went in and played,” Quinn said. “That was something that I was willing to risk.

“If I had a chance to do it over, I would do it again.”

Quinn, who threw an interception on his last pass of the season, must now decide whether to have surgery or have his finger immobilized in a splint.

Browns Coach Romeo Crennel said doctors want Quinn to make up his mind within a week.

Either way, it’s at least a six-week process and Quinn won’t play again this season.

Cowboys rookie Jones out for season

Rookie running back Felix Jones was officially put on injured reserve by the Dallas Cowboys, ending what had been an extremely productive rookie season.

Dallas signed defensive back Tra Battle off San Diego’s practice squad to take Jones’ place on the roster and said Battle may play today against Seattle.

The Cowboys had said that Jones, who sustained a torn ligament beneath his left big toe, would be put on injured reserve last week but only made the move this week.