Back pain lands Andrews in hospital

The New York Giants appear to have lost their second left tackle in Shawn Andrews.

Andrews, the starter the past 3 weeks as David Diehl recovers from a hip and hamstring injury, spent a second day in the hospital yesterday for treatment of a chronic back condition that cost him the entire work week before the Eagles' game Sunday night. He is listed as doubtful for tomorrow's game against Jacksonville.

With the offensive line depleted by injuries - both starting and backup centers Shaun O'Hara and Adam Koets are out as well - the Giants are left with second-year player Will Beatty for left tackle.

Beatty, though, only just got back to playing in spot duty two games ago as an extra tight end after missing seven with a broken right foot. The Giants (6-4) now face a situation in which the left side of the line, which also includes fill-in guard Kevin Boothe, might not get the necessary push to create a balanced ground game.

"Certainly, if you had your druthers, that wouldn't be No. 1 on the hit parade," offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. "Shawn Andrews performed tremendously well for us and was a big part of why we haven't been sacked the last 3 weeks."

In another matter, running back Brandon Jacobs was fined $20,000 by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct toward fans before Sunday's loss at the Eagles. It was his second such violation this year; he was fined $10,000 for throwing his helmet into the stands in Indianapolis during a defeat in Week 2.

Jacobs is expected to appeal the fine.

* Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly was fined $20,000 for unnecessary roughness on a special teams play when he unnecessarily struck a Pittsburgh Steelers player in the head area. He was docked $5,000 in 2008 for a late shove of an opponent in a loss to San Diego.

* The Cleveland Browns signed punter Reggie Hodges to a 2-year contract extension, locking up the potential restricted free agent.

* Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall didn't practice again because of a hamstring injury. It's unlikely he'll travel with the team to Oakland for tomorrow's game against the Raiders.

In another decision, coach Tony Sparano still hasn't chosen a starter at quarterback. Chad Henne is recovering from a knee injury suffered 2 weeks ago against Tennessee. Tyler Thigpen, the third-team quarterback 2 weeks ago, started in last week's 16-0 loss to Chicago and had an uninspiring performance that included two interceptions.

* The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without left tackle Eugene Monroe against the New York Giants, leaving the team without both starting bookend blockers.

Monroe, who apparently suffered a concussion late in Sunday's week's win over Cleveland, failed a concussion test yesterday and was ruled out for tomorrow's game.

* Carolina quarterback Jimmy Clausen has been cleared to play following a concussion and will seek his first win as an NFL starter tomorrow against ex-Panthers QB Jake Delhomme and Cleveland.

The rookie will be matched against Delhomme, Carolina's former QB who will start for the injured Colt McCoy and provide another odd twist in the Panthers' miserable season.

* Marcus Trufant has cleared concussion tests and is set to play for the Seattle Seahawks tomorrow against Kansas City.

Wide receiver Mike Williams is listed as questionable. Coach Pete Carroll has been vague about the nature of Williams' foot injury throughout the week referring to it as an "unusual" injury and something the team's doctors hadn't seen before. However, when asked about what the injury is, he merely called it a "foot strain."