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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: For much of his 12-year career, wide receiver Keenan McCardell has been regarded as one of the league's best downfield blockers, a player whose tenacious hits permit runners to gain additional yardage.

But now the Tampa Bay Bucs star is paying a price for what the league viewed as a block that crossed the line in last Sunday's overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers.

League officials have confirmed that McCardell was fined $12,500 for a chop block that prematurely ended the '03 season of Carolina reserve defensive end Kavika Pittman. The NFL ruled that Pittman was engaged with another Tampa Bay blocker when McCardell hit him at the knee. The league's stiff penalty is second only to a maximum fine of $15,000.

Pittman suffered two torn ligaments, the anterior cruciate and medial collateral, in his left knee and will be placed on injured reserve. By definition, he is lost for the balance of the year -- a blow to the upstart Panthers. An eighth-year veteran, Pittman was a big part of the Carolina defensive end rotation.

Both Panthers players and coach John Fox complained during and after the game about what they felt were a number of chop blocks by the Tampa Bay offense. There were hints that Carolina officials planned to submit videotape to the league office to support the claims.

McCardell said he is "disappointed" in the fine and will appeal the action.

"He wasn't engaged (with another blocker)," McCardell said. "So I'm going to plead my case and we'll see what happens."

Washington Redskins: Cornerback Fred Smoot was briefly knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital with a mild concussion after a collision during practice Thursday.

Smoot took a hit to the head from safety Matt Bowen as the two defended Rob Johnson's pass to Cliff Russell.

Trainer Dean Kleinschmidt said Smoot was unconscious for "less than a minute" and woke up with a headache and back pain before being placed on a board and loaded in an ambulance.

"He had feeling," Kleinschmidt said. "He could move his arms and legs and feel and squeeze. He responded. He did not have amnesia."

Smoot has been released from the hospital and will be reevaluated Friday before determining his status for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

Matt Bowen's aggressiveness in practice has been a problem for the Redskins since the start of training camp. He leveled running back Trung Canidate during the first week of practice, drawing the ire of coaches and cheers from his fellow defensive players.

Coach Steve Spurrier did not blame Bowen directly for Smoot's injury, but the coach said: "We've all got to realize we're practicing against each other."

If Smoot can't play Sunday, it would be a significant setback for the Redskins. He and Bailey are one of the top tandems in the league, and backup Rashad Bauman pulled his hamstring in last week's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Bauman, a second-year player, will start if he is healthy and Smoot isn't. Next in line would be undrafted rookie Ade Jimoh, who allowed a late touchdown filling in as the nickel back Sunday against Atlanta.

Bauman said his hamstring is sore, but he participated in the full practice. He said he's ready for what would be his first NFL start.

Also, QB Patrick Ramsey, who sprained his non-throwing shoulder against the Falcons, was able to take part in the full practice and remains confident he will start against the Giants.

Denver Broncos: Quarterback Jake Plummer had no problems Thursday after testing his sore right shoulder with some longer throws.

Plummer still had some soreness after splitting time with backup Steve Beuerlein on the first team, but the Broncos expect him to play Monday night against Oakland.

Plummer separated his shoulder while diving for a first down in the second quarter of Sunday's game against San Diego. He was only able to throw short passes in practice Wednesday, but let loose a couple of deep balls Thursday before the Broncos shut him down.

"We just didn't try to overwork him, but he threw enough deep balls where I felt comfortable with him," Shanahan said.

Indianapolis Colts: Although he has been listed as "doubtful" for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, ESPN.com has confirmed that Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney will not play.

Freeney unexpectedly showed up on the team's Wednesday injury report, with a sprained ankle and an abdominal injury of unspecified nature, and it appears veteran Chad Bratzke will get the start at right end.

The team's first-round choice in the 2002 draft, Freeney had 13 sacks as a rookie, and notched his first sack of 2003 last Sunday against Tennessee. He also was credited with four quarterback pressures in the victory.

In the post-game interviews, neither Freeney nor coach Tony Dungy cited an injury, but the sprained ankle apparently flared up on Monday. An MRI exam revealed no structural damage but Freeney was outfitted with a walking boot, will be evaluated on a daily basis, and could miss more than just this weekend's contest.

"It doesn't look like it's going to be anything that will heal right away," Dungy said of the ankle injury. "As far as how long it's going to be, we really don't know, but it will probably be more than a week."

The absence of Freeney likely will mean increased playing time for rookie Robert Mathis in pass-rush situations. A fifth-round draft pick from Alabama A&M, Mathis is a hybrid type player, with defensive end skills but only linebacker size. He posted two sacks last weekend, though, and coordinator Ron Meeks told ESPN.com at the time that the staff was seeking more ways to get Mathis onto the field.

Tennessee Titans: Quarterback Steve McNair practiced Thursday and felt improvement with the dislocated ring finger on his throwing hand.

McNair injured his finger in last weekend's 33-7 loss to Indianapolis when he caught his hand on Chad Bratzke's equipment. The finger was more swollen and sore on Wednesday and limited him to just a few passes early in practice.

On Thursday, McNair took part in throwing plays but, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton, the Titans' starter didn't run very much at practice in order to rest his sprained left knee.

Coach Jeff Fisher said McNair threw very well and even took several snaps from the center with no problem. McNair is listed as questionable for Sunday's game with New Orleans (1-1) because of his finger and his left knee, which he sprained in the opener, but he should play.

Houston Texans: Just one day after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, free safety Marlon McCree was claimed on waivers by the Texans, and could eventually compete for the starting job with his new team.

A third-year veteran and former seventh-round draft pick (2001), McCree started 27 games in two seasons with the Jaguars, including all 16 contests in 2002, when he had a team-best six interceptions. But he fell out of favor with the new staff early on and then lost his starting job to second-round draft pick Rashean Mathis.

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio suggested Wednesday that McCree was released after he sulked about being demoted from the starting lineup. But other Jaguars coaches contend that McCree continued to work hard. His release came only two days after it appeared he blew a coverage on a 54-yard touchdown catch by Buffalo wide receiver Bobby Shaw.

The Texans attempted in the offseason to upgrade at safety but were unsuccessful. The current starter is eighth-year veteran Matt Stevens, who has opened all 18 games of the Texans' existence, but who is more a "nickel" defender. Once McCree assimilates the defense, he could definitely push Stevens for the No. 1 job.

To create a roster spot, the Texans waived safety Travares Tillman, who was recovering from a broken wrist suffered in the preseason. Three other teams -- Pittsburgh, Carolina and New Orleans -- placed waiver claims on McCree. He was awarded to Houston based on a 2002 record that was inferior to the other clubs.

Cleveland Browns: Third-string quarterback Josh Booty didn't lose his job so much for what he did but rather for what the former LSU star couldn't do.

Like block.

The second-year veteran has been waived because of the Browns' perilous shortage of healthy offensive linemen. In his place, Cleveland signed versatile two-year veteran Craig Osika, who can play guard and center. Osika played previously with San Diego and San Francisco.

Cleveland lost starting left tackle Ross Verba to a torn biceps in the preseason. And now his replacement, Barry Stokes, who moved over from left guard, is battling through an ankle injury. The team expects Stokes to play this weekend but, if he can't, right tackle Ryan Tucker will have to switch sides.

Coach Butch Davis said he has been considering for several weeks having only two quarterbacks on the roster. So the Browns will go for now with Kelly Holcomb and Tim Couch. The team does have a third quarterback, Nate Hybl, on its practice squad.

Carolina Panthers: The numbers on the four-year contract extension that punter Todd Sauerbrun signed in Carolina last week have been officially reported: The Pro Bowl punter received a signing bonus of $1.302 million. His base salaries are $655,000 (2003), $900,000 (2004), $1.2 million (2005), $1.295 million (2006) and $1.4 million (2007).

Sauerbrun had earlier signed the one-year qualifying offer for a "franchise" punter, of $1.471 million, and received a $300,000 advance on that.

The deal also includes a $2,000 workout bonus for 2003 and workout bonuses of $100,000 each for 2004-2007.

In other moves, the Panthers claimed safety Travares Tillman off waivers Thursday and placed defensive end Kavika Pittman on injured reserve.

Tillman was waived earlier this week by the Houston Texans. He had been recovering from a fractured right forearm that kept him out of training camp, but the Texans thought he could play this week before they released him.

Pittman will miss the rest of the season with torn knee ligaments sustained in Carolina's win over Tampa Bay last week.

New Orleans Saints: Cornerback Dale Carter, injured last Sunday, underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a fractured orbital socket. Doctors inserted a titanium plate in the socket to try to strengthen the broken bone under Carter's left eye.

The team's medical staff said Carter is expected to miss three weeks, as was anticipated by New Orleans coaches, and he likely will be replaced by Ashley Ambrose. The veteran corner, now in his second stint with the Saints during his 12-year career, has played well in "nickel" situations.

In a related matter, first-round defensive tackle Jonathan Sullivan, who had a Monday arthroscopic procedure to repair cartilage damage in his left knee, has received a fairly favorable prognosis. A follow-up examination indicated that the former Georgia star, the sixth player taken overall in the 2003 draft, could return in three weeks.

Minnesota Vikings: Receiver D'Wayne Bates was downgraded Thursday to questionable for Sunday's game at Detroit with an injured left foot.

Bates, the Vikings' No. 2 wideout opposite Randy Moss, sprained the foot last weekend against Chicago. He began the week listed as probable, but he hasn't been able to practice and has worn a boot on the foot.

Bates is tied for second on the team with four catches for 33 yards and one touchdown.

Coach Mike Tice said Kelly Campbell will get most of the work with the first team in practice this week. Campbell, a second-year receiver, caught the longest pass against the Bears -- a 51-yard reception on the Vikings' first play from scrimmage.

"We'll be fine. We've got Kelly in there," Tice said.

If Bates can't go on Sunday, it will also mean more work for rookie receiver Nate Burleson.

In other Vikings injuries, running back Doug Chapman (ankle) remains questionable and strong safety Corey Chavous (knee) is probable. Special teams ace Jack Brewer remains out with a chest injury.

Seattle Seahawks: Koren Robinson spoke publicly for the first time yesterday since being held out of the Seahawks' 38-0 shutout of the Arizona Cardinals last weekend for being late for a team meeting. He sounded apologetic, smiled constantly and said all the right things. He will play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams at Seahawks Stadium.

"It's just disappointing," Robinson said. "I'm disappointed in myself. It's hard. It's hard to see your team go out there when you know you're supposed to be out there. It's just hard, frustrating, man."

Coach Mike Holmgren had planned to only hold Robinson out of the starting lineup. But when the Seahawks jumped to a big early lead, the punishment stretched out to the entire game.

Robinson has had problems being late before with the Seahawks.

"(It's) time management. I misjudge time," he said. "I think I'm getting there earlier than I am, then by the time I get there I'm too late. It's nothing. I'm just putting it behind me and moving forward.

"I want to play. Any part of the game or preparation or practice or whatever, and any part I miss or mess up on or whatever, then something like this is subject to happen again. It hurt me not being out there on the field. I can't afford to do that again."

Green Bay Packers: The Packers should have at least one of their top two receivers for Sunday's game at Arizona.

Robert Ferguson said Thursday he will be able to play against the Cardinals, but top receiver Donald Driver said it will be up to coach Mike Sherman and the medical staff to make a decision on his status.

Sherman has closed practice to reporters, but Ferguson said he took part in the entire practice Thursday and lined up with the starting unit.

Ferguson missed Wednesday's practice for treatment on a sprained ligament in his right knee. He reported no setbacks after engaging in some contact Thursday.

He aggravated the knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Packers' 31-6 win over Detroit last Sunday and is listed on the injury report as probable for the game at Arizona.

Ferguson also has a sprained right ankle stemming from the Packers' season-opening loss to Minnesota on Sept. 7.

Driver wasn't sure if he'll be cleared to play Sunday.

For a second day, the Pro Bowl receiver was relegated to running routes and catching passes from No. 3 quarterback Craig Nall, away from the team segments of practice.

Driver has been sidelined since straining his neck and sustaining a concussion on a frightening fall while trying to make a catch late in the season opener.

Listed as questionable for Sunday's game, Driver said the decision on whether he'll suit up rests with the medical staff and Sherman.

If Driver isn't cleared to play Sunday, he'll likely be ready for the Sept. 29 game at Chicago.

Javon Walker, who replaced Driver in the lineup last Sunday, has continued to work as the starting flanker in practice.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.