Cincinnati Bengals leading tackler Thomas Howard out for season - Los Angeles Times

The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a major blow to their defense Friday when Thomas Howard, their leading tackler last season, was placed on injured reserve after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during practice Thursday.

"It was an unfortunate thing, anytime a player like Thomas, a young talent, gets hurt," Coach Marvin Lewis said. "You have to move on. It's a freak thing that happens."

To take Howard's place on the roster, Cincinnati signed linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy, who had surprisingly been waived on cutdown day.

Fines

Safeties Madieu Williams of the Washington Redskins, Taylor Mays of the Bengals and Rahim Moore of the Denver Broncos have been fined $21,000 each by the NFL for unnecessary roughness in season-opening games.

Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith says the league fined him $21,000 for kicking Miami guard Richie Incognito in the opener. Smith, who missed two practices this week because of a sore right ankle, says he was only retaliating when Incognito tried to twist his ankle after the whistle.

Drawing $15,750 fines were Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen for helmet-to-helmet contact with Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert, and Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith for a horse collar tackle. Vikings defensive tackle Letroy Guion was fined $7,875 for roughing Gabbert.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Shaun Draughn was fined $7,875 for unnecessary roughness against the Atlanta Falcons, while Miami center Mike Pouncey drew the same amount for the same act against the Houston Texans.

More injuries

Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Dwight Freeney (ankle) will not play Sunday against Minnesota, and receiver Austin Collie (concussion) is doubtful.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (calf) and linebacker James Harrison (left knee) did not practice Friday and are questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Jets, who will be without Darrelle Revis (concussion).

Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at New England, but Coach Ken Whisenhunt refused to rule him out altogether, saying Skelton is out of the protective boot and did some rehab work on the field.

Oakland Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski, who suited up but did not play in the team's season opener, will be in the lineup for Sunday's game at Miami.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Jeremy Maclin (hip) returned to practice Friday and are listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Carolina Panthers Coach Ron Rivera said he expects wide receiver Steve Smith and running back Jonathan Stewart will play Sunday against the Saints, although the two are listed as questionable on the injury report.

Washington receiver Pierre Garcon remains hobbled with a sore right foot and will be a game-time decision Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.