Affidavit says Vilma offered $10,000 to hurt Favre

The NFL presented and his attorney with a sworn statement from former Saints defensive coordinator saying the linebacker placed a $10,000 bounty on

Vilma met with Commissioner on Monday in New York about his suspension, which has been temporarily lifted. Attorney

said they were given an affidavit at the meeting.

“I don’t know what Gregg Williams’ motives are, but I do know that any suggestion by Williams that Jonathan put up $10,000 as an incentive for his teammates to injure another player is absolutely false,” Ginsberg said.

Vilma tweeted on Monday night that Williams was “bullied to sign the affidavit,” saying Williams signed it on Friday.

Williams is now with St. Louis, though he has been suspended indefinitely. An associate of his said Williams did not want to talk to the media.

Vilma, who denied in court that he offered money in exchange for injuring the former Vikings quarterback, was one of four players suspended by Goodell in the bounty scandal.

REDSKINS’ ORAKPO, CARRIKER OUT FOR SEASON

Washington two-time Pro Bowl linebacker

and defensive end are out for the season with injuries.

Coach said Monday that Orakpo suffered another tear of the pectoral muscle near his left shoulder in Sunday’s 31-28 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

Orakpo had surgery on the same shoulder after a suffering similar injury in the final game of last season.

Carriker tore the quad tendon at the base of his right knee in the first quarter of Sunday’s game. The Redskins now have to replace two defensive starters on a team that has allowed 63 points in its first two games.

BELICHICK SHEDS LITTLE LIGHT ON HERNANDEZ’S INJURY

New England coach doesn’t know how long tight end

will be sidelined with a right ankle injury. ESPN.com reported that Hernandez would not play Sunday night at Baltimore and that, while there is no exact timetable, he likely will not return until October at the earliest.

Hernandez was injured in the first quarter of Sunday’s 20-18 loss to Arizona while blocking for

who had just caught a pass.

says he

BUCCANEERS DIDN’T BREAK ANY NFL KNEEL-DOWN RULES

Tampa Bay coach didn’t break any NFL kneel-down rules and still isn’t apologizing for his aggressive tactics of going after the New York Giants when they were lined up in victory formation.

The first-year Buccaneers coach said Monday “it’s a clean, hard, tough, finish-the-game play.” Schiano says some people disagree with that, adding, “That’s certainly what makes the world go round. Everybody has opinions.”

The coach instructed his defensive lineman to plow into the Giants’ offensive line with

lined up in victory formation and sparked a debate on whether the Bucs crossed the line when it comes to kneel-down etiquette.

The NFL said the Bucs didn’t break any league rules and doesn’t plan to take any action against Schiano or the team.

ELSEWHERE

Coach is unsure if he’ll have star cornerback back in the New York Jets’ secondary when the team plays at Miami on Sunday. Tackle running back

and wide receiver were among six Giants held out of practice on Monday. Diehl suffered an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in Sunday’s 41-34 win over Tampa Bay. Bradshaw was to have an MRI on a neck injury and Hixon was being evaluated for a concussion.

Center will miss at least four to six weeks because of a tore knee ligament, and it’s possible he could face season-ending surgery.

The board of directors at the San Diego Hall of Champions has decided to forego the normal voting process and induct into the Breitbard Hall of Fame on Feb. 25.

Offensive tackle Rodger Saffold will be out at least a month with a right knee injury.