Bills receiver Eric Moulds was suspended without pay for Sunday's game against the Patriots, apparently for a sideline dispute with an assistant coach during last week's loss to Miami.
"Eric hasn't practiced this week so he won't be ready to play Sunday. He is suspended for one game without pay," owner Ralph Wilson said Thursday after a meeting with Moulds and head coach Mike Mularkey.
"From there on, he'll be back and will play the final three games of the season, which I hope we'll do better than we have so far."
Moulds' adviser, Greg Johnson, said the player accepted Wilson's decision and is happy with the opportunity to give his side of the story.
"He is now happy that this is behind him," Johnson told The Associated Press. "He's looking forward to getting back on the football field, but as it stands Sunday, he'll be a fan and cheer on the team."
Johnson said the one-game suspension will cost the player about $93,000. As part of the suspension, Moulds will not practice with the team for the rest of the week.
Mularkey had barred Moulds from practice the last two days. Mularkey would not say why he was punishing Moulds, but it's believed to stem from an argument between the player and receivers coach Tyke Tolbert during Buffalo's 24-23 loss at Miami.
Johnson said the dispute occurred when Moulds left the field after experiencing pain in his Achilles' tendon. Moulds wanted to have the tendon examined by a trainer when Tolbert asked Moulds to get back on the field, Johnson said. Moulds declined and was benched for most of the final three quarters.
Moulds is a 10-year veteran, all with Buffalo. He is the team's senior player and a three-time Pro Bowl selection who ranks second to Andre Reed in most of the Bills' career receiving categories.
The Bills (4-8) are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the sixth straight season. They have lost five of their last six and are coming off a loss in which they blew a 21-3 fourth-quarter lead.
Moulds failed to make a catch against the Dolphins, ending his streak for receptions at a franchise-record 121 games. It was the fourth-longest active streak, a list led by Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison at 151.
LYNCH NOT FINED FOR HIT: John Lynch won't be fined or suspended for his hit on wide receiver Eddie Kennison in last Sunday's game at Kansas City. The 13-year veteran learned Thursday by not hearing from the NFL.
"There was no FedEx envelope on my cubicle when I came in," Lynch said. "That's good news because they come Wednesday."
Broncos officials verified that through a call from the league offices that there would be no fine or suspension.
L.T. SITS OUT: LaDainian Tomlinson didn't practice again on Thursday due to bruised ribs but still plans to play in Sunday's home game against Miami. Tomlinson plans to practice today, when there will be less contact.
"I was able to run, but that was about it," said Tomlinson, who came out of Sunday's 34-10 win over the Oakland Raiders with the injury, but then returned.
ALSO: Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair sat out a second straight practice Thursday with a sore lower left leg, but coach Jeff Fisher said he expects him to play Sunday against Houston . . . St. Louis Rams cornerback Terry Fair, whose comeback bid was stalled by a neck injury, was placed on injured reserve, ending his season . . . Jets quarterback Jay Fiedler will undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder . . . Indianapolis Colts safety Joseph Jefferson has been placed on injured reserve and will be out for the rest of the season.