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NFL roundup: Four players in bounty case reject settlement offer

The four players involved in the New Orleans Saints bounty case reportedly rejected a settlement offer because it required admission of some wrong-doing, according to ESPN.com.

Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma, who are appealing suspensions handed down by the NFL for their apparent involvement in the program, are still believed to be OK with how former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has arbitrated the case.

In particular, the players reportedly appreciated that they were able to cross-examine important witnesses, including former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. They believe the information provided by witnesses proves their innocence.

Tagliabue is expected to render a decision on the players' appeals Tuesday.

The league's offer included reducing Hargrove's suspension from eight games to two and fining Smith four games instead of suspending him four games. Tagliabue would then decide whether to hold up Vilma's one-year suspension, in exchange for Vilma dropping his defamation suit against commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL. It is not known what offer was made to Fujita, who was originally suspended for one game.

The NFL said it would continue abiding by Tagliabue's request to not comment on the case.

---Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens with a right knee injury.

Griffin said afterward he does not believe he tore his anterior-cruciate ligament.

"I know what an ACL feels like," Griffin said, according to multiple reports

Coach Mike Shanahan said that Griffin will have an MRI.

---Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs did not play in Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins because of a biceps injury.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said during the week that Suggs "held up real well" in practice but did not indicate if he would play, according to ESPN.com.

The Ravens continue to be without linebacker Ray Lewis with a triceps tear. Sunday's game was the first one in nine years that the Ravens were without both Lewis and Suggs.

---Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe took a hit to the ribs and went to the locker room during the first half of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. He did not return.

---The New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow was active for Sunday's game and served as a backup to starter Mark Sanchez against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tebow, who missed the past two games with a rib injury, did not play in the game.

Greg McElroy, who came in for the benched Sanchez during last week's 7-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals, was inactive.

---Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman plans to have his attorney file a motion that could delay the appeal of his four-game suspension, ESPN.com reported Sunday.

Sherman's suspension stems from testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. He reportedly tested positive for Adderall.

The appeal hearing is scheduled for Friday but delaying it would allow Sherman to continue playing longer.

---Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek left Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a concussion and did not return. The injury occurred in the first quarter.

---Houston Texans tight end Garrett Graham was ruled out of Monday night's game against the New England Patriots with a concussion, according to ESPN.com.

Graham was limited in practice during the week. He has 25 catches for 243 yards with three touchdowns.

Starting tight end Owen Daniels is probable with a back injury. James Casey will fill in as the backup in place of Graham. Right tackle Derek Newton and starting outside linebacker Brooks Reed were previously ruled out by Houston.

---Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler left in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 21-14 loss to Minnesota Vikings with a neck injury. He finished the game on the sidelines with his helmet off.