The Ohio Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from the Browns seeking to force NFL arbitration to halt a lawsuit on former offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley’s career-ending staph infection.
The Wednesday decision keeps the case in Cuyahoga County court in Cleveland.
The team sought to appeal a July ruling by an Ohio appeals court that said the issue isn’t related to the NFL collective bargaining agreement and can be handled in county court.
The Browns had the support of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Cleveland Partnership economic development group.
Bentley says he contracted the infection while rehabbing from a 2006 knee injury at the team’s suburban Cleveland facility. The team is accused of failing to tell Bentley about unsanitary conditions and other players who contracted staph.
Johnson fined $10,000
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson on Wednesday was fined $10,000 for his second-quarter touchdown celebration during the Jets’ 28-24 win Sunday.
Johnson mocked Plaxico Burress’ accidental shooting and also mimicked the Jets’ “Flight Boys” routine before crashing to the turf and drawing a 15-yard celebration penalty.
“He can pay for it,” Burress said when told of Johnson’s fine. Johnson texted an apology to Burress later Sunday, and the Jets receiver said he harbored no ill feelings.
McGlockton dies
Chester McGlockton, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle with the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders who played 12 seasons in the NFL, died early Wednesday. He was 42.
The announcement was made by Stanford University, where McGlockton was in his second season as a defensive assistant. The cause of death was not announced.
A native of Whiteville, N.C., McGlockton starred at Clemson before being selected 16th overall by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992. He played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos and New York Jets. He made all four of his Pro Bowl appearances while with the Raiders from 1994-1997.
Cutler’s future uncertain
Quarterback Jay Cutler isn’t sure he’ll throw another pass for the Chicago Bears this year.
Speaking to reporters for the first time Wednesday since he broke his thumb on his right hand against San Diego two weeks ago, Cutler said he might be finished for the season.
Cutler was injured trying to help tackle Antoine Cason on an interception return in the fourth quarter of a 31-20 victory over the Chargers. Cutler had three screws and two pins surgically inserted into his throwing hand three days later in Vail, Colo.
Packers’ Walden to play
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Erik Walden is expected to start against the New York Giants on Sunday despite his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Walden’s situation is “under review” by both the team and the NFL. Given the information the team had as of Wednesday, McCarthy said Walden is expected to play.
Walden was arrested Friday and spent the weekend in jail before being released Monday on a $1,000 bond.
Around the league
Jacksonville Jaguars interim coach Mel Tucker fired receivers coach Johnny Cox, moved quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard to work with receivers, and offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to quarterbacks coach. ... Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb went through a full workout and hopes to return to the lineup. He has missed four games with a right turf toe and a bruise on the side of the same foot. Beanie Wells (Akron-Garfield), who rushed for a franchise-record 228 yards last Sunday despite a lingering soreness in his right knee, was able to practice on a limited basis. He had the knee wrapped in a massive bag of ice in the locker room afterward. ... St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford was limited in practice after aggravating a high left ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals. Safety Darian Stewart remained out with concussion symptoms. ... Denver Broncos rookie Von Miller missed practice after undergoing a surgical procedure to repair a strained ligament in his right thumb, which he hurt at San Diego last weekend.... The San Diego Chargers placed offensive tackle Marcus McNeill on injured reserve with a neck injury and signed tackle Jared Gaither off waivers.
