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Bad knee finishes Miller

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Jim Miller's season of pain is finally over.

The Bears quarterback will miss the final three games, including the season finale against the Bucs, with a sprained ligament and bone bruise in his left knee.

The injury won't require surgery but will leave him on crutches. Miller hurt the knee in the third quarter of Monday night's 27-9 loss to the Dolphins.

Bothered by a sore shoulder and elbow that restricted his throwing, Miller has been fighting injuries for three years. His injuries include a torn Achilles' tendon and problems with his hip, side, ankle and hamstring.

In the playoffs in January, he separated his throwing shoulder when he was slammed down during an interception return.

Replacing Miller will be Chris Chandler, making his sixth start when the Bears face the Jets on Sunday in Champaign.

TURLEY MAY SUE: Saints offensive tackle Kyle Turley says he might sue the NFL if it does not suspend Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister.

McAlister ripped the helmet off New Orleans receiver Donte Stallworth and tossed it through the end zone in Sunday's game in Baltimore. McAlister was assessed a personal foul.

Turley was ejected Nov. 1, 2001, against the Jets after ripping the helmet off safety Damien Robinson and hurling it across the Superdome field. He was fined $25,000 and ordered to take anger-management courses.

"If they don't fine McAlister exactly what they fined me and make him go to anger management, then I definitely will sue the NFL for my money back," Turley said Tuesday on ESPN Radio's Dan Patrick Show.

TV DEAL: The NFL extended its agreement with DirecTV for five years, giving the satellite service exclusive rights to the league's subscription package in a deal worth $2-billion. The NFL's average take will rise to $400-million from $130-million this season.

BENGALS: Free safety Lamont Thompson had arthroscopic knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

EAGLES: Quarterback A.J. Feeley will start his third straight game Sunday against the Redskins.

GIANTS: Ron Dixon was suspended for Sunday's game with Dallas, a game the receiver was to miss anyway because of a knee injury. The team said Dixon was fined for missing team meetings, medical treatments and doctor's appointments. Coach Jim Fassel said he suspended Dixon because he is repeat offender.

LIONS: A small fire broke out at Ford Field, where Detroit hosts the Bucs on Sunday, but there were no injuries or damages and it will not affect events at the stadium. ... Running back James Stewart missed practice with neck and toe injuries and is questionable for Sunday's game.

PACKERS: Quarterback Brett Favre apologized for making an obscene gesture toward the Vikings' Chris Hovan after Sunday's game. Also, the NFL said participants in the postgame melee can expect fines but not suspensions.

PANTHERS: Linebacker Dan Morgan has surgery scheduled for next week to repair his dislocated left shoulder. But Morgan, who has missed two games, will not be placed on injured reserve in case his shoulder feels better and he decides to postpone the operation.

PATRIOTS: Linebacker Matt Chatham was placed on injured reserve with a broken left thumb, depriving New England of one of its best special teams players. The team re-signed linebacker Maugaula Tuitele to take his spot.

RAIDERS: Oakland beefed up its depleted secondary by signing a cornerback who has been a telephone operator the past two months. Tony Lukins, who played for New Mexico State and was cut by the Bears in training camp, joined the practice squad.

SEAHAWKS: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck remained in a walking boot with a sore left foot and couldn't practice, although he might be back on the field today.

STEELERS: Running back Jerome Bettis and three other starters missed practice because of injuries, but all could play Sunday against Carolina. Also missing practice were linebacker James Farrior, receiver Hines Ward, tackle Wayne Gandy and receiver Plaxico Burress. Burress was excused for personal reasons but is expected back today.

VIKINGS: With left guard Corbin Lacina and left tackle Bryant McKinnie slowed by a virus and guard Lewis Kelly questionable with a possible hernia, Minnesota signed free-agent offensive lineman Michael Early.

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