Collins Takes Himself Out of Lineup

Quarterback Kerry Collins’ rocky stay with the Carolina Panthers hit its lowest point yet when he voluntarily removed himself from the starting lineup.

“His heart wasn’t totally into what he was doing,” Coach Dom Capers said. “He said he felt like he disappointed the team somewhat.”

Capers, trying to lead the Panthers out of a six-game losing streak, said Collins walked into his office and said he wanted to be taken out of the lineup. “This was totally unexpected,” Capers said.

While Capers did not rule out the possibility of Collins returning to once again lead the team, not everyone on the team appeared to share that view.

“He has quit on us, and he’s jumped ship,” offensive lineman Frank Garcia said as the players left the team’s headquarters after practice. “But that’s the best decision for him, and I’m going to support him in that decision and move on.”

Collins’ decision means Steve Beuerlein, in his 12th NFL season and his third with the Panthers, will become the starter. Shane Matthews, who has yet to play a down in one-plus seasons, will be the backup.

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Corey Fuller became the Minnesota Vikings’ $57,500 man, and he wasn’t happy about it.

The NFL fined Fuller $20,000 for his hit on Green Bay backup quarterback Doug Pederson during Monday night’s game at Green Bay, Wis., the third time in his four-year career Fuller has been fined by the league.

Fuller’s first two fines came in 1996. He paid $7,500 after a helmet-to-helmet hit in a game at Atlanta early in the season, then $30,000 for poking Packer center Frank Winters in the eye during the final regular-season game, also at Green Bay. Pederson is expected to be sidelined for six weeks. . . . Green Bay wide receiver Derrick Mayes, who injured his right knee while returning a punt Monday, will undergo an arthroscopic examination today, the team said. . . . Rodney Peete will start at quarterback Sunday for the Philadelphia Eagles instead of Bobby Hoying against the Washington Redskins, Coach Ray Rhodes said. The Eagles also announced the retirement of running back Darnell Autry, 22, so he can pursue an acting career.

AFC / Barnes Is Activated by the Raiders

With Jeff George sidelined for this Sunday’s game against San Diego because of a strained groin, the Oakland Raiders activated quarterback Pat Barnes from the practice squad. Barnes was signed to the Raiders’ practice squad last week, and is expected to be the emergency quarterback behind Donald Hollas and Wade Wilson.

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Seattle quarterback Warren Moon, who suffered a cracked rib in Sunday’s loss at Kansas City, did not practice but is expected to play against Denver. . . . John Elway said there was no problem with his strained right hamstring after practicing with Denver and was listed as probable for the Seattle game.

AROUND THE LEAGUE / Union: TV Contract Boosts Payrolls

NFL teams are allowed to spend an additional $10.9 million each on player payrolls this season, thanks largely to the $17.6 billion television contract the league signed in January, the NFL Players Assn. said. The maximum payroll, or salary cap, will increase to $52.4 million from $41.5 million a team this season, the union said. The league declined to comment.