Spitting Incident Costs Raiders’ Upshaw a Week’s Pay

Oakland Raider defensive end Regan Upshaw was fined nearly $30,000 by the NFL for spitting on Pittsburgh Steeler punter Josh Miller.

The league said it fined Upshaw one week’s salary. He was set to make $500,000 this season.

Upshaw claimed Miller cursed him during Oakland’s 21-20 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

“I was jawing at [Miller] and he was jawing at me,” Upshaw said. “He said something that pushed me over the edge. When you’re upset and lose your cool, you don’t think about the repercussions.”

*

Denver Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan said quarterback Brian Griese probably will be sidelined for the rest of the regular season.

Griese, who has sat out the last three games with a separated right shoulder, said he expected to return for a Dec. 17 game against Kansas City. But Shanahan called that timetable too optimistic and said he even doubted Griese would play in the regular-season finale Dec. 23 against San Francisco.

*

Quarterback Doug Pederson, waived by Philadelphia in training camp, will start for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday when they play host to the Eagles.

Pederson made six consecutive starts for the Browns before bruising his ribs against Baltimore two weeks ago. He was replaced by Spergon Wynn last week at Jacksonville. Now Wynn has a sprained left knee, giving Pederson a shot at his old team.

*

Guard Joe Andruzzi became the second New England Patriot starter to go on injured reserve as a result of injuries suffered in Monday night’s victory over Kansas City. Andruzzi and defensive tackle Brandon Mitchell will sit out the rest of the season. . . . The NFL has hired Spike Lee to direct an advertising blitz aimed at boosting viewership for the playoffs.