Jets, Eric Mangini are fined $125,000 for Brett Favre injury reporting

The NFL assessed $125,000 in fines to the New York Jets and former coach Eric Mangini on Wednesday for violating the league’s rules on injury reporting with former quarterback Brett Favre last season.

The Jets failed to place Favre, now with the Minnesota Vikings, on the injury report during the final month of last season even though he had a torn biceps tendon.

The league announced it had fined the Jets $75,000, and Mangini and Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum $25,000 apiece. Mangini now coaches the Cleveland Browns.

Hiding injuries could affect an opponent’s preparation and the NFL has stepped up policing such practices. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday that the case would be an opportunity for the league to stress that all teams must abide by the injury report rules.

Last week, Tannenbaum admitted the Jets should have listed Favre as “probable” on their injury reports.

Teens admit to defacing lawn

Two 16-year-old boys have admitted to defacing the lawn in front of the home of Buffalo Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin. Hamburg, N.Y., police Sgt. Thomas Best said the teens have admitted to spray-painting a message and an obscenity on the player’s lawn shortly after the Bills’ season-opening 25-24 loss at New England on Monday night.

Best said it’ll be up to the Erie County district attorney’s office to determine whether to take action against the suspects because McKelvin has refused to have them charged. Best declined to release the names of the two teens because of their age, but noted they both live near McKelvin’s home in suburban Buffalo.

McKelvin had a fumble on a kickoff return late in the game that set up New England’s winning touchdown.

Bills’ Posluszny is out six weeks

Bills starting middle linebacker Paul Posluszny is expected to miss about six weeks after having surgery to repair a broken bone in his left arm.

Posluszny was hurt in the first half against the Patriots.

Bad news for Seahawks’ Hill

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill is out until at least November. Coach Jim Mora said that further tests on Hill’s groin showed more extensive damage than first believed, including a partially torn muscle. Hill may need surgery.

Seattle signed Hill to a six-year contract worth a guaranteed $15.5 million in the spring. The deal could be worth $38 million.

Patriots’ Mayo doesn’t practice

New England inside linebacker Jerod Mayo missed the Patriots’ first practice since he hurt his right knee against Buffalo. He suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament and could miss up to eight weeks, the Boston Globe reported.