Packers Trade McKenzie

Mike McKenzie got his wish Monday when he was traded to the New Orleans Saints for a second-round pick in 2005 and a backup quarterback.

“It’s time to move on,” said Mike Sherman, the Packer coach-general manager.

Since ending his holdout without retracting his trade request three weeks ago, McKenzie has been paid more than $485,000, but played only nine snaps, all against Chicago. That led fans and teammates to wonder whether he was still holding out, but getting paid anyway.

The cornerback sat out the last two games because of a mysterious hamstring injury. He was left home when the Packers traveled to Indianapolis two weeks ago and wasn’t on the sideline Sunday when the Packers lost to the New York Giants at home.

The Packers acquired quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, 25, and the second-round selection in the 2005 draft in return for McKenzie, 28, and a conditional draft choice.

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Minnesota running back Michael Bennett will sit out at least two more games and could sit out four weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Bennett, who hasn’t played since spraining the knee in an Aug. 27 exhibition game, reinjured the knee in his first fully padded practice Thursday when he was hit by rookie linebacker Dontarrious Thomas.

The injury was expected to push back his season debut until Oct. 24 against Tennessee.

“We could try to rush him back and have him for New Orleans [on Oct. 17],” Coach Mike Tice said. “I think we’re better served to hold him out until Tennessee.”

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Nine Vikings have been fined for their roles in a scuffle with the Chicago Bears on Sept. 26.

In addition to a $5,000 fine levied against Randy Moss, the other fines totaled $23,500.

Wide receiver Nate Burleson, who absorbed the hit from Bear safety Todd Johnson that sparked the shoving matches, was fined $7,500 for removing a Chicago player’s helmet.

Johnson was not among six Bear players fined $2,500 each.

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Cornerback Troy Vincent will sit out at least two weeks because of a right knee injury, further depleting the Buffalo Bills’ secondary.

Coach Mike Mularkey said Vincent had arthroscopic surgery but did not reveal the extent of the player’s injury.

Vincent was hurt during the opening drive in Buffalo’s 31-17 loss to New England.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without left tackle Mike Pearson for the rest of the season.

Pearson tore ligaments in his left knee Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts and will have surgery.

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Tampa Bay kick returner Frank Murphy ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon against the Denver Broncos and will have season-ending surgery Wednesday.

Murphy, who was injured on the opening kickoff Sunday, averaged 26 yards in eight returns in four games. He had a long of 54 yards, setting up a field goal in the season-opening loss at Washington.