Rams: Warner suffers broken right hand

St. Louis – Kurt Warner’s forgettable season got worse Monday when X-rays showed he has a broken right hand. Warner will miss at least the St. Louis Rams’ next two games.

Warner has a hairline fracture that won’t require surgery. Although he could play at Kansas City, coach Mike Martz said Warner’s pain is too intense.

The two-time NFL MVP had trouble gripping the ball in Sunday’s 10-3 loss to the Eagles that dropped St. Louis to 5-7, 0-6 with Warner at quarterback. He fumbled trying to tuck the ball in, and also lost control of the ball trying to pass.

Warner threw two interceptions and lost his third fumble of the season in Philadelphia. He has three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.

Sunday’s loss was Warner’s second game back after missing nearly two months because of a broken pinkie on the same hand.

Also, standout offensive tackle Orlando Pace will be sidelined two-to-three weeks because of a torn hamstring.

Panthers: Peppers done?

Charlotte, N.C. – Coach John Fox expects the Carolina Panthers to be without rookie defensive end Julius Peppers for the rest of the season. Peppers’ appeal of a four-game suspension handed down by the league last month will be heard today in New York. Peppers was suspended Nov. 14 for using a banned substance. If the suspension is upheld, it will be a huge blow to the Panthers’ sixth-ranked defense.

Bears: Thomas out

Lake Forest, Ill. – Chicago Bears running back Anthony Thomas probably is out for the rest of the season after breaking his left index finger. Thomas, last year’s NFL offensive rookie of the year, was injured in the first half of Sunday’s 30-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers and did not play in the second half. Tight end Dustin Lyman, who caught two TD passes Sunday, one off a fake field goal, injured his left knee and needs an MRI exam.

Dolphins: Fiedler to start

Davie, Fla. – Quarterback Jay Fiedler will start for Miami next Monday night against the Chicago Bears after sitting out six weeks because of a broken right thumb. Fiedler played in the second half of Sunday’s 38-21 loss at Buffalo after Ray Lucas hurt his shoulder and neck. He reported no lingering problems with the thumb.

Eagles: Trio doubtful

Philadelphia – Eagles punter Sean Landeta, quarterback Koy Detmer and safety Blaine Bishop are doubtful for Sunday’s game at Seattle. Landeta strained his right calf on his final punt of Philadelphia’s 10-3 win against St. Louis. Bishop strained his groin in the first half. Detmer, who didn’t play against the Rams, dislocated his left elbow in a 38-17 victory at San Francisco last Monday.

Ravens: McCrary on IR

Owings Mills, Md. – Michael McCrary’s NFL career could be over after he was placed on injured reserve by the Baltimore Ravens. McCrary participated in only five games this season because of a nagging knee injury.

Browns: Northcutt hurt

Berea, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns will likely be without Dennis Northcutt (sprained knee) for at least a week. The team’s key third-down receiver was hurt in Sunday’s loss to Carolina.

Broncos: Neil to return

Denver – Broncos right guard Dan Neil had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday, but coach Mike Shanahan was hopeful he could return Sunday against the New York Jets. Neil had loose cartilage removed from his knee after being injured in the third quarter of Denver’s 30-27 overtime loss to San Diego.

Chargers: Richey cut

San Diego – Erratic kicker Wade Richey was released by the San Diego Chargers, a day after he was benched midgame for sending a kickoff out of bounds. Richey was making $525,000 this year just to kick off.