Notes

BROWNS

Delhomme back at QB

BEREA, Ohio - Jake Delhomme has spent most of his first season with Cleveland dispensing sound advice to rookie quarterback Colt McCoy.

This week, he lent him his walking boot.

With McCoy out with a high left ankle sprain, Delhomme, who has been inactive for eight games because of a similar injury, will start Sunday against his former team, the Carolina Panthers. Delhomme spent seven seasons in Carolina, leading the Panthers to their only Super Bowl appearance.

Delhomme hasn’t started since the season opener Sept. 12, when he suffered a high ankle sprain in the first half against Tampa Bay. He returned to action Oct. 10, filling in against Atlanta when Seneca Wallace injured his ankle.

BILLS WR fined $5,000

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills receiver Stevie Johnson says the NFL has fined him $5,000 for his playful touchdown celebration following the first of his three scores during a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend.

Johnson said Wednesday he learned of the punishment through a letter sent by the league a day earlier.

Shortly after scoring on 28-yard reception, Johnson pulled up his jersey to reveal a message - “Why So Serious?” - written in black marker on his undershirt.

The phrase was used by the Joker in the Batman movie The Dark Knight. Johnson used the phrase to poke fun at Bengals receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens, who have referred to themselves as Batman and Robin this season.

JETS

Cotchery, Lowery out

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery will miss his second game in a row as he recovers from a groin injury.

Cotchery has not practiced Wednesday, and is listed as out for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals tonight. He suffered a slight tear to his left groin at Cleveland on Nov. 14.

Backup defensive back Dwight Lowery also has not practiced and is out with a concussion.

Right tackle Damien Woody has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee and is listed as questionable. Wayne Hunter will start if Woody can’t play.

Also questionable are defensive backs Marquice Cole (left hamstring) and Drew Coleman (groin), who were limited at practice.

EAGLES

Samuel fined $40,000

PHILADELPHIA - Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel says he’s been fined $40,000 for a helmet-tohelmet hit on Giants wide receiver Derek Hagan that drew an unnecessary roughness penalty.

Samuel told reporters the amount of the fine before practice Wednesday. He sat out practice because hesprained his knee during Sunday’s 27-17 victory over New York.

Samuel, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, leads the NFL with seven interceptions. He has 42 career picks in eight seasons, but has never been known for being a physical player.

The league has cracked down on hits to the helmet in the last month, with Samuel’s fines among the biggest the NFL has handed out.

ODDS & ENDS

The Philadelphia Eagles have placed cornerback Ellis Hobbs on injured reserve, ending his season. Hobbs sustained a neck injury in a helmet-to-helmet collision with New York Giants defensive lineman Dave Tollefson on the second-half kickoff in Sunday’s 27-17 victory over New York. Hobbs was down on the field for 11 minutes before leaving on a stretcher.