Buffalo excuses Moulds
Eric Moulds was excused from practice Wednesday and today after reports that the star wide receiver would be suspended, making his status uncertain for this weekend’s game against New England.
Coach Mike Mularkey declined to say why he excused the team’s leading pass catcher, but denied reports that he had any intention of suspending Moulds. Referring to Moulds at one point as “a great player,” Mularkey said he would not answer questions about Moulds’ status until Friday.
“I’ve told him he’s excused from not being here today or tomorrow,” Mularkey said on Wednesday. “It’s a closed subject, not going to discuss it. It’s an in-house topic and we’re going to leave it at that.”
Moulds’ status was in question after numerous media outlets reported that Mularkey informed Moulds in a meeting on Monday that he planned to suspend him.
Mularkey said he never used the word “suspension” in any conversations he’s had with Moulds. “Don’t put words in my mouth,” he said.
Mularkey declined to budge from discussing Moulds’ status further, despite repeated questions.
In his 10th season with Buffalo, Moulds is the team’s senior player, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who ranks second to Andre Reed in most of the Bills’ career receiving categories.
Thumb won’t sideline Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger plans to play out the rest of the season despite a thumb injury so severe it may need surgery, partly because “it’s not over for us yet” despite three consecutive losses.
The injury is causing last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year visible pain and is affecting his ability to throw some passes, but Roethlisberger said a protective splint he wears under a glove is allowing him to play.
Roethlisberger isn’t saying if the thumb is broken, and neither is coach Bill Cowher, but Roethlisberger expects to finish the season unless he is hurt again. The Steelers (7-5) face the Chicago Bears (9-3) on Sunday.
Eagles stick with McMahon
Mike McMahon remains the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, despite being benched after throwing two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns against Seattle.
Coach Andy Reid made the decision to stick with McMahon over Koy Detmer after sleeping on it for a couple of days following Monday night’s 42-0 loss to the Seahawks.
McMahon will make his fourth start since replacing the injured Donovan McNabb against the NFC East-leading New York Giants (8-4) on Sunday.
Raiders hand reins to Tuiasosopo
Ex-University of Washington player Marques Tuiasosopo will start at quarterback Sunday for Oakland, which benched regular Kerry Collins.
With no postseason to play for, the Raiders (4-8) are casting an eye toward the future. Oakland coach Norv Turner gave Tuiasosopo the nod and announced that he will start on the road against the New York Jets.
“It means a lot,” said Tuiasosopo, whose lone NFL start came in 2003. “I am excited to get out and play and, with the rest of these guys in the locker room, find a way to win a ballgame this week.”
Tuiasosopo, a second-round pick in 2001, has played in just eight NFL games.
Around the league
Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis, the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, underwent season-ending surgery on his torn right hamstring, concluding a year in which he played in only six games. … Houston released starting offensive guard Victor Riley and benched safety Marcus Coleman. … St. Louis offensive lineman Blaine Saipaia, who missed the last two games with a concussion, was placed on injured reserve. … Jacksonville center Brad Meester, who has started every game in his six-year career, could miss the rest of the season with a torn left biceps. … Cornerback Terrell Buckley signed with the New York Giants, who placed cornerback William Peterson on injured reserve. … Tennessee rookie cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones settled a lawsuit in which he charged a nightclub manager with conspiracy, slander and defamation. Neither side disclosed details of the settlement, but a statement said both sides agreed that Robert Gaddy and Jones “resolved their claims by mutual agreement.” … Tennessee tight end Erron Kinney will miss Sunday’s game with Houston after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. … Cleveland rookie quarterback Charlie Frye will replace Trent Dilfer for the second straight week and make his first start on the road Sunday when the Browns play at Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Browns nose tackle Ethan Kelley was placed on injured reserve and will have knee surgery. … Detroit safety Terrence Holt was placed on injured reserve with a sore elbow.