NFL | Official criticism earns big fines for Dre' Bly, Joey Porter

The NFL handed down $20,000 fines Friday to Denver's Dre' Bly and Miami's Joey Porter for comments critical of officials following losses last weekend.

Porter's comments were directed toward referee Ed Hochuli, who has been at the center of several disputed decisions this season.

On the first play of Houston's drive for the winning touchdown late in the game, linebacker Porter stripped quarterback Matt Schaub. Hochuli ruled the play an incomplete pass rather than a fumble, saying Schaub's arm was moving forward when hit.

"I know for sure that I had both his arms when the ball came out," Porter said after the game. "I thought we won the game, actually, but they kept getting calls."

Cornerback Bly was agitated over an illegal-contact call he drew in the third quarter of a 24-17 loss to Jacksonville, plus a pass-interference call on Broncos safety Marlon McCree in the waning moments of the game.

The Broncos have caught their share of breaks from the officials this season, most notably on Hochuli's blown call in a 39-38 win over San Diego, and Bly hinted that things were evening out.

"I guess they've been evaluating us and say we won games we shouldn't have won. So, I guess they're going to get a call against us," Bly said after the game Sunday.

Also fined Friday was St. Louis offensive guard Richie Incognito, who was charged $25,000 for what the league termed repeated verbal abuse of a game official in the closing seconds of the Rams' 19-17 victory over Washington. He also was fined $5,000 for a major facemask penalty and $5,000 for an illegal chop block.

Romo questionable

IRVING, Texas — Tony Romo was basically a spectator in the middle of the field when the Dallas Cowboys started practice Friday. Nothing changed after that.

The Cowboys listed their two-time Pro Bowl quarterback as questionable for Sunday's game after he didn't participate in practice, the last one before playing at St. Louis. Romo has a broken pinkie on his throwing hand.

Other than confirming Romo's status, coach Wade Phillips wouldn't elaborate when he made a brief appearance in the locker room after practice.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a radio interview earlier Friday that the decision if Romo will play will depend on how the quarterback feels Sunday.

"If he is feeling good and the pain is good, then it's likely he'll play," Jones said. "It's down to, can he handle the pain?"

Notes

• Cleveland TE Kellen Winslow practiced for the first time since being hospitalized with an undisclosed illness and could play Sunday against Washington.

Winslow declined to give any details about what forced him to be kept at the Cleveland Clinic for three days last week.

"I'm not going to tell you exactly," he said. "I just feel because I play professional football and can catch a football, it doesn't mean I should let people into my personal business."

• Tom Brady has undergone a second procedure in 10 days on his injured knee, according to the Boston Globe. The newspaper reported Friday that the New England quarterback had the procedure Wednesday for an infection in his left knee that was operated on Oct. 6.

• New York Giants MLB Antonio Pierce (quadriceps) missed practice for the third consecutive day and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against San Francisco.

• Washington CB Shawn Springs (calf) was unable to practice and was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Cleveland.

• Pittsburgh RB Willie Parker (sprained knee) didn't practice for a third consecutive day and won't play Sunday against Cincinnati.

• Tennessee starting WRs Justin McCareins (hamstring) and Justin Gage (knee) missed practice again and are questionable for Sunday's game at Kansas City.

• Willie D. Clark, accused of killing Denver CB Darrent Williams in a drive-by shooting on New Year's Day 2007, is scheduled to enter a plea on Oct. 30.