Eagles' Sims fined for hit on Titans receiver

Eagles linebacker Ernie Sims was fined $50,000 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness against the Titans for a hit on wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins on a pass play in the second quarter of the Oct. 24 game. No penalty was called.

"Specifically, on a pass play, he unnecessarily struck his opponent, a defenseless receiver, in the head and neck area with his forearm," spokesman Jon Zimmer said in an e-mail.

Sims was deemed a repeat offender by the league, having been fined for unnecessary roughness violations on Dec. 28, 2008, and Sept. 13, 2009, when he was a member of the Detroit Lions.

Zimmer said Sims was informed in a letter from Ray Anderson, NFL executive vice president of football operations, that "further offenses will result in an escalation of fines up to and including suspension."

The hit came days after three players were heavily fined for defenseless-receiver violations and the league had sent a video to teams showing the new enforcement.

Hawkins had one catch for 5 yards in the game.

Sims had said after the game that he feared he might be fined for a sideline hit on Chris Johnson in the first quarter, but instead it was a play away from the ball that cost him.

Twelve players sat out practice yesterday as the Colts had a lighter session coming off Monday night's win over Houston.

Defensive end Dwight Freeney got a day off to rest, but all the other players were out with injuries: running back Joseph Addai (neck), tackle Ryan Diem (quad), tight end Brody Eldridge (rib), wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee), running back Mike Hart (ankle), defensive tackle Antonio Johnson (knee), defensive end Robert Mathis (knee), cornerback Jerraud Powers (foot), safety Bob Sanders (biceps), linebacker Clint Session (elbow) and cornerback Justin Tryon (foot).

Sanders and Johnson already have been ruled out for Sunday's game.