The NFL fined the Houston Texans' Andre Johnson and the Tennessee Titans' Cortland Finnegan $25,000 each Monday for their fight in Sunday's game but is not suspending them.
The Texans' star wide receiver and the Titans cornerback slugged it out in the fourth quarter of the Texans' 20-0 victory.
Finnegan set off the brawl by jabbing at Johnson's neck and face mask at the line of scrimmage. Johnson ripped off Finnegan's helmet and landed at least two punches to Finnegan's head and neck. The two spun each other, and Finnegan tore off Johnson's helmet before players and referees intervened.
Finnegan was fined for personal fouls in three consecutive games earlier this season and was warned by the league after the third incident to watch his behavior after the whistle.
Harrison's appeals denied: The NFL has rejected Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison's appeals of his $75,000 fine for a hit on Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and $20,000 fine for slamming helmet-first into New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees' back.
Harrison, a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker, learned Monday the league turned down his appeals. The NFL also did not reduce the fines.
Harrison, fined $100,000 for three separate hits, possibly faces a fine for his roughing-the-passer penalty Sunday against Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Romo is throwing: Since breaking his left collarbone, Tony Romo has done all the prescribed rehabilitation work and kept the rest of his body in shape. He goes to all meetings and watches games from the sideline.
And Monday, five weeks after he was hurt, Romo was back on the Dallas Cowboys' practice field throwing passes.
Romo broke his left collarbone on Oct. 25. The target date for a return has been Dec. 25 at Arizona.
Bowlen backs McDaniels: Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen says embattled coach Josh McDaniels' job is safe.
In a rare interview, Bowlen told AOL FanHouse on Monday night that he's not interested in making a coaching change this year or next and was sticking by McDaniels despite the team's 5-21 slide and the embarrassing videotaping scandal in London.
NFL investigation: The NFL is looking into a verbal confrontation between Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib and an official who worked the game against the Baltimore Ravens.
During an exchange outside the team's locker room following Sunday's loss in Baltimore, Talib reportedly made an expletive-laced comment to an official about a pass interference call made by field judge Boris Cheek. The Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times said the official responded by using an expletive of his own to describe how Talib played and that the player then threatened to punch him.
