Tynes, who kicked the winning field goal in the NFC title game in January, maintains that the 27-year sentence his brother Mark is serving in a federal facility in Arkansas is excessive for the crime.

"My brother is not asking for a pardon, he is asking for a commutation, which would reduce his sentence," Tynes said Wednesday after the Giants finished practice for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.

Mark Tynes, 31, was convicted in 2004 of two counts of marijuana distribution for his part in a plan to move 18 tons of marijuana between Texas and Florida. Tynes has run out of appeals to reduce his sentence.

Browns

Broken finger ends season for QB Quinn

BEREA, Ohio | Brady Quinn's season ended Wednesday after just three starts, done in by a broken right index finger that he tried to play with last week and may now require surgery.

Given the options of resting or an operation last week, Quinn could have sat out Sunday's game against Houston. But the second-year QB chose to play and did more damage to his finger.

"I knew that was a consequence if I went in and played," Quinn said Wednesday. "That was something that I was willing to risk. "

Quinn, who threw an interception on his last pass, must decide whether to have surgery or his finger immobilized in a splint. Either way, it's at least a six-week process .

Bengals

ocho cinco says benching didn't teach him anything

CINCINNATI | Asked if he has learned anything from his benching for a verbal altercation with a Cincinnati Bengals coach, receiver Chad Ocho Cinco thought for a few seconds before barely smiling and giving a one-word answer.

"No," he said .

Coach Marvin Lewis sent the Pro Bowl receiver home before a game in Pittsburgh last Thursday after he showed up late for a team meeting, exchanged words with a coach and then left the meeting. The receiver was back in Cincinnati while the Bengals lost to the Steelers 27-10.

Ocho Cinco talked about the punishment for the first time Wednesday, acknowledging that the one-game benching was merited. The receiver expects to play Sunday against Baltimore if he's healthy.

"I put (Lewis) in a tough position, and he made a call he had to make," Ocho Cinco said.

Bears

vasher will miss sunday's game with broken hand

LAKE FOREST, Ill. | Chicago Bears defensive back Nathan Vasher has a fractured right hand and will miss Sunday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings when the teams meet at the Metrodome for first place in the NFC North.

Vasher, sidelined for three games this season with an injury to his right wrist and thumb, was hurt Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. Bears coach Lovie Smith said Vasher also reinjured his thumb.

Smith said no surgery is required right now.

fines

light, crowder must pay $15,000 each after dust-up

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. | Matt Light of New England and Channing Crowder of Miami were fined $15,000 apiece by the NFL on Wednesday for what the league called "a verbal and physical altercation" last Sunday.

Neither will be suspended, the league said.

Light punched Crowder several times after the Miami linebacker shoved him on a Patriots field goal late in a 48-28 win over the Dolphins.

Also Wednesday, Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter apologized for not leaving the field during Sunday's game as instructed by coach Tony Sparano.

IN OTHER NEWS

New York Jets linebacker David Harris (groin) and safety Eric Smith (head) returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering injuries last month. Coach Eric Mangini didn't address their availability for Sunday's game against Denver .

Dallas signed defensive back Tra Battle off San Diego's practice squad to take Felix Jones' on the roster and said Battle might play today against Seattle. Jones was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.

The Denver Broncos signed free-agent fullback Andrew Pinnock on Wednesday to shore up their injury-riddled backfield. Pinnock is a sixth-year pro who was released Sept. 1 by San Diego, where he spent the last five seasons.

The Atlanta Falcons put starting tight end Ben Hartsock on injured reserve Wednesday and brought back Jason Rader for the second time this season. Hartsock, who had only three catches and was essentially another lineman , injured a toe in last weekend's 45-28 victory over Carolina.

St. Louis Rams offensive guard Richie Incognito apologized Wednesday for criticizing the team's dwindling fan base, making an obscene gesture to a TV cameraman during practice and encouraging hecklers while cupping his hands to his ears as he left last Sunday's game.

- From wire reports