News briefs: Players hope new rules ease pressure from peers

New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita is glad to see the NFL changing its concussion policies. Why? Because, he figures, the league is finally getting around to saving players from themselves.

"You almost have to take it out of the players' hands, because we're not going to make the most responsible decision," Fujita said.

"If I was in that situation in a playoff game, and I was kind of dinged and not functioning very well on the sideline, I'd like to think that someone might look out for my best interest," he said, "because I don't think I'd do that for myself."

In dozens of interviews across the NFL this week, the Associated Press found that players voiced nearly unanimous support for the league's latest moves on head injuries. Like Fujita, they're grateful to have extra sets of eyes looking out for them -- and they're relieved to have a buffer against peer pressure about missing games or practices.

Put another way: With league- and union-approved independent neurologists now assigned to all 32 clubs, and stricter return-to-play guidelines instituted Wednesday, players hope teammates will be less likely to question their tenacity when they're kept on the sideline with a concussion.

"One of the things that has been so hard in this league for so long is playing with injuries and what constitutes being 'tough' and being 'courageous' and what constitutes being stupid and hurting yourself for the long-term," said Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who sat out last weekend with a concussion. "Anything that eases that part of it is progress, because, again, there's a mentality in the locker room. ... Sometimes there needs to be an outside force helping." Full story

Ex-players return from relief trip to American Samoa

WASHINGTON -- A pair of former NFL players of Samoan descent finished a trip this week to American Samoa, where they helped with tsunami recovery efforts and handed over a check for $50,000 from the league and players association.

Reno Mahe and Gabe Reid both said they were impressed with the resourcefulness of residents in rebuilding from the September tsunami, which killed more than 200 people in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. American Samoa is a U.S. territory.

"It's devastating, people's houses are all gone," said Mahe, a former running back for the Philadelphia Eagles. "These people don't take anything for granted, they're right back out there rebuilding and moving forward. It's pretty cool to see this. It makes you proud of where you come from, and who you are."

Reid, who was born in American Samoa and played tight end for the Chicago Bears, said that he visited places on the island where stores and gas stations have vanished.

Injuries mount on Browns defense with Coleman out

BEREA, Ohio -- All the injuries to the Cleveland Browns this year have left coach Eric Mangini starting over.

"Some stuff you do have to spend time on you wouldn't typically," Mangini said. "Like learning guys' names. We've had quite a few new faces come through."

More could be on the way.

Defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman ruled himself out of Sunday's game against the Chargers (8-3) with a right knee injury, linebacker Kamerion Wimbley was unsure if his knee will allow him to play and cornerback Eric Wright spent Friday's practice on an exercise bike.

Texans' Quin has headaches, will sit Sunday

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans rookie cornerback Glover Quin will miss this weekend's game against Jacksonville with what he called concussion symptoms.

Quin, who has started eight games this season, said he isn't sure if he had a concussion and if he did it was a mild one. Still, the Texans chose to sit him after he had headaches earlier this week.

He was injured after taking a knee to the helmet late in Houston's 35-27 loss to Indianapolis.

Quin was disappointed to miss this game, where a win will be key in keeping Houston's playoff hopes alive, but he was worried about the possibility of the injury becoming more serious by playing.

Packers' Thompson hospitalized after injury in practice

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Jeremy Thompson was hospitalized for testing after suffering a neck injury in a collision with running back Kregg Lumpkin during practice.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Thompson remained conscious after the neck stinger. Thompson, a second-year player out of Wake Forest who plays primarily on special teams, missed the Packers' first two preseason games because of a shoulder stinger earlier this year.

McCarthy wouldn't say whether Thompson was able to move his extremities immediately after the incident, but Lumpkin said he could see Thompson moving his feet after the two collided on a play.

Browns avoid first blackout since 1995 finale

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns avoided a blackout for Sunday's game against San Diego by joining with a TV station and several local businesses to guarantee a sellout.

The remaining tickets will be distributed to local charities, including the Cleveland Foodbank, the United Way, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Businesses that helped purchase the tickets also will give them away to customers.

The 1-10 Browns on Thursday received a 24-hour extension to reach a sellout. They were in danger of having their first home blackout since the final game of the 1995 season -- the last of the former franchise before it moved to Baltimore.