Struggling Bills fire Jauron

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Dick Jauron was fired by the Buffalo Bills yesterday, when the coach ran out of time to build a contender or come up with a way to fix an offense that sputtered even with the addition of Terrell Owens.

Bills owner Ralph Wilson announced Jauron's dismissal, saying he made the decision "for the best interest of his team." The move came two days after the Bills (3-6) fell further out of contention following a loss at Tennessee.

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell was named interim coach. Wilson credited Fewell for "demonstrating excellent leadership skills," while noting the players have plenty of "confidence in him."

In his 12th NFL season, and fourth with Buffalo, Fewell became the team's first black coach.

The Bills are averaging slightly more than 15 points from an offense that acquired Owens this offseason but remains unsettled at quarterback. The defense is riddled with injuries and has allowed an NFL-worst 173 yards rushing a game.

Jauron left with a 24-33 record over three-plus seasons, and went 5-14 in his past 19.

"I really don't have anything to say," was all Jauron would say when reached on his cell phone by The Associated Press.

Bowe gets four-game substance suspension

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Dwayne Bowe, in and out of his coach's doghouse all year, is in much deeper trouble now. Kansas City's third-year wide receiver was suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing substances.

Neither the Chiefs nor the league would make further comment and Bowe's agent, Todd France, did not return calls seeking comment.

His loss is a blow to the Chiefs (2-7), who have struggled in coach Todd Haley's first year and been weak at wide receiver.

The only constant at the position has been Bowe. Although the former first-round pick out of LSU has abundant ability, he's made a habit of coming up with a spectacular catch on one play only to drop an easy ball or make a silly mistake the next.

Johnson agrees to deal with Bengals

CINCINNATI - Running back Larry Johnson signed with Cincinnati in a backup role, giving the AFC North leaders depth at the position for the rest of the season.

The Bengals waived defensive tackle Orien Harris to open a roster spot for Johnson, who will be fourth on the depth chart at the outset.

The move comes eight days after Kansas City let him go as he was set to return from his second suspension in the past 12 months. The Bengals have one of the NFL's leading rushers this season in Cedric Benson, but he has a strained hip muscle.

Polamalu likely to miss just one game

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh apparently won't be without injured safety Troy Polamalu for more than one game. The sigh of relief began in coach Mike Tomlin's office and no doubt spread throughout the Steelers' practice building.

Polamalu hasn't been ruled out of Sunday's game at Kansas City despite injuring his left knee for the second time this season. However, it seems more likely he will miss one game and attempt to return for an AFC North game at Baltimore on Nov. 29.

Polamalu is "questionable at best" for the Chiefs (2-7), according to Tomlin.

Polamalu, a five-time Pro Bowl player, missed the Steelers' second through fifth games with a medial collateral ligament sprain, and he played less than a half in their opener against Tennessee. The Steelers (6-3) lost two of the four he missed, and all three of their losses occurred when Polamalu was out or played only a single series.

In another Steelers development, backup linebacker Arnold Harrison was waived. Harrison lost his job after three kickoff return touchdowns were allowed by Pittsburgh's coverage unit in the past four games.

Merriman sued; violence alleged

SAN DIEGO - Reality TV star Tila Tequila filed a lawsuit against San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman alleging domestic violence. Her attorney said that Tequila is seeking $1.5 million in damages.

Merriman was arrested by sheriff's deputies on Sept. 6 after Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing him of battery and false imprisonment at his suburban home. The district attorney declined to charge Merriman.

Merriman told the AP in an e-mail that he hadn't seen a copy of the suit.

Dolphins' Brown to miss Panthers game

DAVIE, Fla. - Miami running back Ronnie Brown will miss tomorrow's game at Carolina because of an injured right foot, and his status for the rest of the regular season is uncertain.

Brown was hurt in Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. Ricky Williams will replace Brown and start for the first time this season. He'll also become the primary trigger man if the Dolphins run the wildcat formation.

The game is the first Brown has missed since his season-ending knee injury in 2007. Williams, 32, has rushed for 558 yards and is averaging a career-best 5.3 yards per carry.

Browns' Cribbs out of hospital

CLEVELAND - Browns receiver Josh Cribbs was released from a hospital yesterday after being injured on the final play of Monday's 16-0 loss to Baltimore.

Despite trailing 16-0, the Browns were still trying to score in the last seconds and Cribbs was flattened by Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards after lateraling the ball near midfield. As he laid on the field, trainers removed the face mask from Cribbs' helmet and immobilized him for the trip to the hospital.

Ravens cut kicker

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Baltimore cut kicker Steve Hauschka, who missed a 36-yard field goal and saw an extra-point try blocked in Monday's win over Cleveland. Hauschka missed four field goal attempts in nine games.

Edwards pleads not guilty in assault case

CLEVELAND - Former Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge after he was accused of punching a man outside a downtown nightclub last month.

Edwards was arraigned in Cleveland Municipal Court. The 26-year-old was traded to the New York Jets two days after he was accused of punching a friend of NBA star LeBron James on Oct. 5.

Edwards waived his right to a speedy trial and was scheduled for a Dec. 12 court hearing.