NFL notes

— Johnson, Finnegan brawl in Houston

Andre Johnson politely asked Cortland Finnegan to stop it. By the fourth quarter, Houston’s star receiver had simply had it with the Tennessee cornerback’s antagonistic antics.

Their feisty duel exploded into a full-blown fistfight late in the Texans’ 20-0 victory over the Titans on Sunday.

Both players were ejected, and the ugly incident could lead to further discipline from the NFL.

“He kept doing little things and I told him: ’Just because you’re frustrated, you need to stop what you’re doing,”’ Johnson said.

“I guess he thought it was funny.”

The usually soft-spoken Johnson caught nine passes and a touchdown before walking off the field to a standing ovation.

“It’s just a buildup of things over plays,” Johnson said. “I just lost my cool.”

Finnegan did not speak to reporters after the game.

“It’s not good for the game, no,” said Titans Coach Jeff Fisher, co-chairman of the NFL’s competition committee. “You don’t want to see that stuff.”

The two got into a milder shoving match on the previous play, with Johnson giving Finnegan a shot in the back before Finnegan took off his helmet and walked away.

Finnegan then 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.

“I awarded it to Andre on points,” Texans owner Bob McNair joked.

This was Round 2 between Johnson and Finnegan. Last season, Johnson was fined $7,500 for taking Finnegan to the ground by the face mask during a scuffle after a play in a 34-31 Texans victory.

Johnson said this week: “That’s the past, I’m over that. That’s way behind me, I don’t think about that.” But Finnegan got under his skin again, and Johnson was apologetic after the game.

“I wish that I could take back what happened, but I can’t,” Johnson said. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be disciplined for it.”

Houston plays at Philadelphia on Thursday night.

Injuries, injuries

Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson injured his right ankle in the first half at Washington and did not return.

San Diego wide receiver Vincent Jackson injured a calf in the first quarter at Indianapolis and did not return.

Baltimore fullback Le’Ron McClain was helped off the field after spraining his left ankle against Tampa Bay.

Oakland quarterback Bruce Gradkowski injured his shoulder on his final pass against Miami.

Sports, Pages 16 on 11/29/2010

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