Cincinnati — The National Football League has fined wide receiver Chad Ochocinco $25,000 for the timing of his tweets.

The league said Tuesday that Ochocinco’s messages appeared on his Twitter page during a prohibited time at the Cincinnati Bengals versus Philadelphia Eagles preseason game on Friday night. It said the Bengal player violated policies on electronic device possession and posting of social media messages.

The use of cell phones, computers or other electronic equipment by players and coaches is prohibited from 90 minutes before kickoff through the end of the game.

The NFL’s statement said Ochocinco’s messages on the social media site showed up at 6:50 p.m. and 9:53 p.m. Kickoff was 8:07.

Bengals players were off Tuesday.

NFL

Falcons won’t replace Meier yet

Flowery Branch, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons will not sign a receiver to replace injured rookie Kerry Meier (knee) for a couple of weeks. According to the NFL collective bargaining agreement, rookies can’t be placed on injured reserve until 53-man rosters are set Sept. 4. Meier, the former Kansas University wideout, tore his anterior cruciate ligament against New England.

Sanchez will wear brace ‘forever’

Florham Park, N.J. — Mark Sanchez is bracing himself for the rest of his career.

The New York Jets quarterback will wear a protective brace on his surgically repaired left knee “probably forever” to guard against future injuries after a scare in the preseason game against Carolina last Saturday.

Jets’ Mangold signs for $55 million

Florham Park, N.J. — Nick Mangold, the New York Jets’ two-time Pro Bowl center, became the highest-paid player at his position Tuesday, signing a seven-year deal with the New York Jets that could be worth up to $55 million. The deal includes over $22 million in guarantees against injury, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press.

OT Okung has high ankle sprain

Renton, Wash. — Sixth-overall draft pick Russell Okung has a high right ankle sprain, putting the key position of left tackle in flux for the Seattle Seahawks heading into the regular season. Coach Pete Carroll announced the injury to the former Oklahoma State standout after Tuesday’s practice.

WR Rice to miss half of season

Eden Prairie, Minn. — Brett Favre’s job just got a whole lot tougher.

Favre and the Minnesota Vikings will play the first half of the season — or more — without Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice, who had hip surgery this week.

Coach Brad Childress said Tuesday that Rice had the procedure in Vail, Colo., on Monday night. He couldn’t give a specific timetable for Rice’s return, but said typically it takes about eight weeks before a player can even get back to practice, let alone game action.

McNabb out with sprained ankle

Ashburn, Va. — A sprained ankle will keep Donovan McNabb on the sideline Friday night when the Washington Redskins play the New York Jets. McNabb has been unable to practice since getting hurt in Saturday night’s preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Committee approves Rams sale

St. Louis — The NFL’s finance committee has unanimously recommended approval of Missouri billionaire Stan Kroenke’s bid to take full control of the St. Louis Rams.

NBA

Yao cleared for basketball activities

Houston — Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming is confident that he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season after a team doctor declared his surgically repaired foot fully healed. Yao missed last season after undergoing complex surgery on his left foot in July 2009. Team doctor Tom Clanton has cleared Yao to resume basketball activities.

College Football

Bowden says he was pushed out

New York — Bobby Bowden did not want to retire.

“Fired might be a little too strong,” the former Florida State coach said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press. “Pushed out ain’t bad. I was pushed out, no doubt about it. I didn’t want but one more year. Gosh, I’m 80.”

Bowden retired — at least technically — after Florida State went 7-6 last season.

Mizzou LB Ebner returns

Columbia, Mo. — Missouri linebacker Will Ebner returned to the practice field, two days after being arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Ebner, a junior, was third on the team with 78 tackles last year. He had been working with the second team but Tuesday had been demoted to third string.

Oregon St. player kicked off team

Corvallis, Ore. — Tyler Patrick Thomas, a redshirt Oregon State University football player, has been dismissed from the team after police say they found him naked and intoxicated in a stranger’s home and had to use stun guns to take him into custody.

Golf

LPGA golfer’s death ruled suicide

Las Vegas — The Clark County coroner’s office ruled Tuesday that 25-year-old professional golfer Erica Blasberg’s death was a suicide.

Blasberg died May 9 at her home in Henderson, about 15 miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip. She was found with a plastic bag secured over her head.

Weir likely out for season

Toronto — Mike Weir has a partially torn ligament in his right elbow and is likely out for the rest of the season.

Baseball

Damon rejects Red Sox offer

Boston — Johnny Damon rejected Boston’s waiver claim on him and said Tuesday he’s staying with the Detroit Tigers.

Nationals place Strasburg on DL

Washington — As expected, the Washington Nationals put rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg back on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and scheduled him for a further test this week on his strained right forearm.

Ramirez hasn’t heard anything

Milwaukee — Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez says he’s heard nothing amid speculation that he’ll be put on the waiver wire at the end of the week.

“No, man, nothing,” Ramirez said on Tuesday. Clubs looking to add the enigmatic hitter would need to put him on their roster by Aug. 31 to make him available for the postseason.