Carrier Fined, Suspended

Detroit safety Mark Carrier was suspended Monday for one game without pay and fined an additional $50,000 for an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay wide receiver Antonio Freeman.

The suspension--the league’s fourth action against Carrier in the last three seasons for improper use of his helmet--will be served Thursday when the Lions play host to Chicago. Carrier could choose to appeal the penalty.

Gene Washington, the NFL’s director of football operations, notified Carrier of the suspension after reviewing tapes of the third-quarter hit that knocked Freeman out of the Packers’ 26-17 victory over the Lions at Green Bay on Sunday.

No penalty was called on the play, which forced Freeman from the game because of a concussion.

Lion spokesman Bill Keenist said the team had no immediate reaction, but said Carrier would discuss the matter today.

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In a move anticipated since he signed a nearly $17-million free-agent contract in February, Kerry Collins is replacing Kent Graham as the New York Giant starting quarterback.

“I’m putting Kerry in as the starting quarterback and that’s not an experiment, either,” Coach Jim Fassel said. “He is now the starting quarterback.”

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Quarterback Troy Aikman, headache-free and confident that he’s not prone to concussions, will return to the Cowboys for Thursday’s game. . . . Green Bay Packer offensive lineman Ross Verba will sit out at least two games because of a knee injury. . . . Philadelphia Eagle receiver Charles Johnson will be sidelined at least three weeks because of a torn knee ligament.