Jared Allen got a double dose of bad news yesterday.

Minnesota's star defensive end was fined a whopping $50,000 by the NFL for two below-the-knee hits on Houston quarterback Matt Schaub last week. Allen also learned he was listed as doubtful on the injury report for the upcoming game against rival Green Bay.

Allen declined to discuss the fine due to his desire to appeal the punishment, and his agent Ken Harris also refrained from comment. Schaub and Texans coach Gary Kubiak this week each called the hit that injured the quarterback's left knee a cheap shot.

Last month, Allen was docked $5,000 by the league for a late hit against Chicago.

Though Allen was not penalized during the Houston game, NFL spokesman Randall Liu said the fine was for two plays considered roughing the passer. Allen's actions violated this portion of the league rule book: "A rushing defender who has an unrestricted path to the passer from any direction is prohibited from forcibly hitting the passer in the knee area or below."

Early in the second quarter during a 17-yard completion to tight end Owen Daniels, Schaub injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee when Allen came in low. Schaub, who left the game at halftime, is out for two to four weeks. Allen hurt his shoulder in the same quarter and played through it.

MORE COSTLY HITS

Jacksonville defensive tackle John Henderson and Cincinnati guard Andrew Whitworth were fined $10,000 each for fighting by the NFL.

Henderson and Whitworth exchanged punches after Henderson knocked off Whitworth's helmet, then appeared to try to gouge his eyes. Both players were penalized and ejected Sunday.

Henderson also got an additional $5,000 fine for illegal hands to the face when he struck Whitworth.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley was fined $10,000 for slamming Washington quarterback Jason Campbell to the ground in Monday night's game. Campbell banged his head on the turf when hit.

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck was fined $7,500 for his hit on Dallas quarterback Brooks Bollinger in the fourth quarter last Sunday.

JAGUARS

LB PETERSON RETURNS

Linebacker Mike Peterson rejoined the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday, going through practice, attending meetings and trying to move on from what he called a rough couple of days.

It remained unclear whether the team's top tackler and defensive captain, who was sent home from practice Wednesday and Thursday, would be in the starting lineup tomorrow at Detroit.

Coach Jack Del Rio said Peterson's status was "to be determined."

REDSKINS

CORNERBACK HALL SIGNS

DeAngelo Hall didn't stay unemployed for long.

Less than one day after clearing waivers, the cornerback agreed yesterday to a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins.

Hall should suit up for Washington's next game, on Nov. 16 against Dallas. The Redskins have a bye this week.

Hall was released by Oakland earlier this week after playing just eight games with the Raiders. Oakland acquired Hall in the offseason for two draft picks, then signed him to a seven-year, $70 million contract

ELSEWHERE

Ravens: Baltimore cornerback Chris McAlister, who missed the past two games, will have season-ending surgery on his damaged right knee and will be placed on injured reserve. McAlister has posterior cruciate ligament damage and cartilage issues.

Seahawks: Seattle wide receiver Deion Branch practiced with the first-team offense and has a chance to play tomorrow against Miami, while quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was finally back on the practice field, too, putting him back on track to play next week.

Titans: Neither Kyle Vanden Bosch (strained groin) nor Keith Bulluck practiced yesterday, and both were listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against Chicago. Bulluck cracked cartilage in his ribs last week against Green Bay, jeopardizing his streak of 105 straight games at outside linebacker.