NFL fines Cowboys LT Adams $50K for shoving Giants DE Tuck

Cowboys’ Adams fined $50k for shove

IRVING, Texas — The NFL has docked Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams $50,000 for shoving New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck in the back.

League spokesman Randall Liu said the fine was for unnecessary roughness, his fifth such infraction this season.

In a letter to Adams, NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson wrote: “Future infractions of the types you have committed may lead to increased disciplinary action up to and including suspension.”

Adams already has been fined $25,000 for incidents in three other games this season, including $12,500 stemming from Dallas’ first meeting with New York in Week 2, when Adams tripped Tuck.

As a repeat offender, and with a history of tangling with Tuck, there was thought that Adams could be forced to sit out a game.

Adams wasn’t in the locker room when it was open to the media Wednesday.

Video clearly shows Adams shoving Tuck in the back at the end of the first half of New York’s 31-24 victory Sunday. There was then a small melee between players from both teams on the New York sideline, and Adams was given a personal foul penalty though no yardage was marked off against Dallas at the start of the second half.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin spoke with NFL director of officiating Mike Pereira about the play.

Adams was fined $7,500 by the NFL after kicking at Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers in Week 3. He was docked $5,000 for an unnecessary roughness penalty in the opener at Tampa Bay before the first incidents with the Giants.

Avoiding a suspension was crucial for the Cowboys, who are already playing without starting right tackle Marc Colombo. He has been out the last three games after breaking his left leg.

AP Football Writer Barry Wilner in New York contributed to this story.