AFC / Bengals Speechless on Fine

Lee Johnson’s release and fine for questioning the Cincinnati Bengals’ front office has left Coach Bruce Coslet in an awkward position and prompted players to watch what they say.

Coslet declined Wednesday to talk about the decision to fine Johnson one game’s pay--$20,588.24--for conduct detrimental to the team. Johnson was informed of the fine by mail a day after General Manager Mike Brown released him.

Asked about the fine and whether he considered Johnson’s comments detrimental to the team, Coslet asked reporters to avoid the subject with him.

“No. 1, I don’t talk about fines. I never have and I never will,” Coslet said. “No. 2, I understand you have to pursue the story, but you have to understand the predicament I’m in. So I’m not going to comment on it.”

Players also were reluctant to talk about how the team dealt with Johnson, who was the franchise’s last link to its 1988 Super Bowl team.

“I plead the Fifth [Amendment],” quarterback Jeff Blake said.

Johnson got in trouble with Brown by suggesting after a 33-20 loss to Buffalo on Sunday that the front office should consider doing things differently. The Bengals haven’t had a winning record since Brown took control of the team before the 1991 season.

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Neil O’Donnell’s roller-coaster season with the Bengals ended when he was put on injured reserve because of a broken right hand. . . . Buffalo offensive lineman Ruben Brown will sit out Sunday’s game against Oakland because of a strained chest muscle.

NFC / Gibbs Joins Bid for Redskins

Former Washington Redskin coach Joe Gibbs has joined Phoenix businessman Sam Grossman’s $600-million bid for the franchise and its new stadium, agreeing to take an ownership stake and supervisory position if Grossman succeeds in acquiring the club.

Gibbs coached the Redskins for 12 years, taking them to the Super Bowl four times and winning it three times.

Meanwhile, the Redskins signed veteran wide receiver Henry Ellard, 37, for the rest of the season.

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St. Louis Ram wide receiver Isaac Bruce, plagued by hamstring injuries this year, was put on injured reserve because of the right hamstring, ending his season. . . . The Green Bay Packers, who listed a team-record 17 players on their injury report, signed receiver Russell Copeland, discarded by the Philadelphia Eagles last week, and promoted wideout Brian Manning from the practice squad. . . . Dallas Cowboy tight end David LaFleur will be sidelined for the next few weeks because of a sprained right knee.