Mims found dead

Former Charger retired in 2005

Chris Mims, a former defensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers beset by legal problems, was found dead in his downtown Los Angeles apartment Wednesday. He was 38.

Authorities said there was no evidence of foul play.

Mims was discovered shortly before 9:30 a.m. by police officers conducting a welfare check, police said. The coroner's office declined to comment because Mims' relatives had not yet been notified.

Mims played eight seasons in the NFL, seven with the Chargers and one with the Washington Redskins. He retired in 2000, finishing with 42 sacks and 10 forced fumbles in 104 games.

Mims was drafted out of Tennessee in the first round by San Diego in 1992. He had a career-high 11 sacks when the Chargers won the AFC in 1994. He returned the next season but made only two sacks. After the 1995 season ended following a playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Mims was almost an hour late for the team's final meeting, coming out of a limousine disheveled. The Chargers released him in 1997.

COLTS LOSE HART FOR SEASON: One day after trading for defensive tackle John McCargo, the Colts placed rookie running back Mike Hart on injured reserve and filled their most-pressing need by adding two running backs to the active roster.

Hart, a sixth-round pick who was Michigan's career rushing leader, injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after catching a screen pass during the second quarter of Sunday's 31-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Coach Tony Dungy confirmed the ACL injury Wednesday but did not say whether it was torn.

Running back became a major need Sunday when Hart and Pro Bowler Joseph Addai left in the first half. Addai hurt a hamstring, and Dungy said Monday he wasn't sure whether Addai would play this week at Green Bay.

To strengthen their backfield, the Colts promoted undrafted rookie Chad Simpson from the practice squad and re-signed Clifton Dawson.

WINSLOW RESTING AT HOME: Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow, hospitalized last week with an undisclosed illness, remains at home under doctors' orders, and coach Romeo Crennel on Wednesday offered no definitive timetable for the Pro Bowler's return.

Winslow spent three nights at the Cleveland Clinic before he was discharged Sunday. The 25-year-old, who has battled injuries throughout his NFL career and contracted a staph infection after knee surgery in 2005, missed Cleveland's win on Monday night over the New York Giants.

The Browns have provided little information on Winslow's condition, citing health laws and the player's privacy.

JONES WON'T HAVE PROBATION REVOKED: Twice-suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones won't have his probation revoked in Georgia after an alcohol-related scuffle with his bodyguard in Dallas.

The Dallas Cowboys cornerback was suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday for the latest disturbance. The incident was the 13th for Jones involving police since the Tennessee Titans drafted him in 2005.