Titans DT Haynesworth nailed with five-game suspension

"I felt there needed to be some serious action taken from a discipline standpoint, and I believe that what the league has done right now is adequate," Fisher said.

"Five games and five paychecks is substantial."

Jones' touchdown put Dallas up 20-6 in what wound up as a 45-14 victory. Gurode said after the game they hadn't been talking or having any exchanges that led to Haynesworth's actions.

Parcells said Fisher apologized to him and the team after the game. He also thought Haynesworth was contrite after the game, which he was glad to hear.

"Other than that," Parcells said, "it was unfortunate."

Dallas nose tackle Jason Ferguson agreed a suspension was needed and that nothing should push a player that far.

"With the head uncovered, you don't go for that. You're not trying to kill anybody out there," Ferguson said.

The Titans can replace the five-year veteran on the roster, but he has been a starter since late in his rookie season. Fisher did not know if rules used for players suspended for substance abuse will apply in this situation.

While the Titans had other evidence that something like this was coming, Fisher said Haynesworth had been making progress in recent years.

"I am shocked and appalled for this to take place regardless ... whether there have been behavioral issues in the past or not. To me, there's no place for this type of condition on the field," Fisher said.

Before Monday, the longest suspension for on-field behavior was two games for Green Bay defensive lineman Charles Martin for throwing Chicago quarterback Jim McMahon to the ground during a game on Nov. 23, 1986.

It's the first suspension since 2002 when Rodney Harrison, then with San Diego, was suspended one game for hitting Oakland's Jerry Rice with his helmet. Earlier that season, Denver's Kenoy Kennedy was suspended for a game for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chris Chambers of Miami.

If charges are brought against Haynesworth, it wouldn't be the first time police got involved following an on-field incident.

In the NHL, Todd Bertuzzi pleaded guilty to causing body harm in Vancouver and missed 20 NHL games for a blindside punch that left Colorado forward Steve Moore with broken bones in his neck. And Marty McSorley was convicted of assault with a weapon also by Vancouver authorities for slashing Vancouver's Donald Brashear in the head with his stick in February 2000.

Haynesworth will be eligible to return Nov. 19 for the Titans' game at Philadelphia.