Johnson, Finnegan fined $25,000, no suspensions

Andre Johnson called NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday morning, before the league fined Houston's star receiver and Tennessee cornerback Cortland Finnegan $25,000 each for their fight a day earlier.

Johnson did not speak with Goodell, but left a message. Johnson said that Goodell called back and left a voicemail while the Texans were preparing to practice on Monday night.

"I just think that was something that I needed to do, just to communicate with him and let him know my side," Johnson said. "I'll give him a call back and whenever we get a chance, we'll talk."

Neither player was suspended after they slugged it out in the fourth quarter of Houston's 20-0 victory.

Finnegan set off the brawl by jabbing at Johnson's neck and face mask at the line of scrimmage. Johnson ripped off Finnegan's helmet and landed at least two punches to Finnegan's head and neck. The two spun each other, and Finnegan tore off Johnson's helmet before players and referees intervened.

Houston (5-6) plays at Philadelphia (7-4) on Thursday night, and Johnson said he was relieved to learn that he'd be allowed to play.

"That's something I have been thinking about ever since the incident happened," Johnson said. "I'm happy that I'm not suspended. At the same time, I'm not happy about my actions."

When asked if he would appeal the fine, Johnson said "probably not."

"Just looking at it, I mean, what can I say?" Johnson said. "There's not really anything I can say, or tell them."

Finnegan did not speak to reporters after Sunday's game, but talked about it Monday on his weekly radio show. Finnegan said Johnson "snapped," and added that if he had punched Johnson, the NFL likely would have suspended him.

"This is the NFL, not the NHL, and it's a higher standard," Finnegan said. "That's the NHL. They fight. They get penalized for that. The NFL, it's not even heard of ... you do that, you're suspended. Hands down. That's what I've been taught.

"I guess he got his money's worth."

Bowlen says McDaniels' job as head coach is safe

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen says embattled coach Josh McDaniels' job is safe.

In a rare interview, Bowlen told AOL FanHouse Monday night that he's not interested in making a coaching change this year or next and was sticking by McDaniels despite the team's 5-21 slide and the embarrassing videotaping scandal that rocked the franchise this month.

A call to Bowlen's office after hours wasn't answered. A team spokesman said McDaniels wasn't reachable and that chief operating officer Joe Ellis, who has been designated to speak on Bowlen's behalf, wasn't available for comment Monday night.

A message left with McDaniels wasn't immediately returned.

Bills rally around inconsolable WR Johnson

Stevie Johnson's fine and his teammates had his back Monday, a day after the Buffalo Bills receiver was left questioning God and himself for dropping what would've been an overtime game-winning touchdown pass.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick says there's no better way to keep Johnson's spirits up than to continue throwing him the ball, which is what he intends to do.

"I have 100 percent confidence in him," Fitzpatrick said. "That's the biggest thing. And I think that's the most important thing is for him to know that."

Center Geoff Hangartner isn't worried either.

"He knows we've got his back," Hangartner said. "There's no need to say anything. Everybody's made mistakes. He's no different than the rest of us. He'll be fine."

Johnson remained the focus of attention a day after dropping a 40-yard touchdown pass with 10:30 left in overtime of a 19-16 loss to Pittsburgh. The Steelers won on their next possession, when Shaun Suisham hit a 41-yard field goal.

Johnson spent the rest of the game sitting alone at the end of the bench watching the Steelers drive on the video board at the opposite end of the stadium. He was inconsolable afterward, calling the drop something he'll never get over.

And Johnson then raised eyebrows around the nation as news circulated of the tweet he posted on his Twitter account an hour after the game by wondering how God could do this to him.

Romo throws warm-up passes at practice

Injured Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has thrown passes to receivers at practice Monday - albeit merely soft tosses during warm-ups.

Still, his appearance is an indication he could be closer to returning.

Romo broke his left collarbone on Oct. 25. He is expected to miss at least two more games to let the injury heal.

The Cowboys have made a return possible by not putting Romo on injured reserve. Interim coach Jason Garrett says the plan is to "get him as healthy as we can as quickly as we can."

Garrett adds that a decision on if or when he returns "will be based on the medical evidence that we have."

Jets RT Woody doesn't practice, expects to play

There's no way Damien Woody wants to miss this one.

The New York Jets right tackle sat out practice Monday while recovering from a sprained knee ligament, but expects to play at New England next Monday night. The division rivals are tied atop the AFC East with 9-2 records.

"It's too big," Woody said, "so I'm going to be out there."

Woody sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee against Houston last Sunday, but was able to play four days later in New York's 26-10 win over Cincinnati. He was "pretty sore" and spent the weekend rehabilitating.