NFL | Redskins win injury-plagued game

Only days removed from burying a teammate, and without the benefit of a full practice, the Washington Redskins managed to win thanks to a backup quarterback who last completed a pass in 2004.

Todd Collins came on for the injured Jason Campbell and threw for two touchdowns last night, leading Washington to a 24-16 victory over the fading Chicago Bears (5-8) in Landover, Md.

Collins 16-yard TD pass to Ladell Betts with 2 minutes, 45 seconds left iced the game for Washington (6-7).

In a rough-and-tumble game that ended the Redskins' four-game losing streak, both teams lost their starting quarterbacks in the first half. Campbell left for good with a dislocated left kneecap a few plays after hurting his throwing elbow. Rex Grossman never returned from a left-knee injury on Chicago's second possession. He was replaced by Brian Griese, who threw interceptions on consecutive passes in the second quarter, both picked off by Shawn Springs.

Collins wound up 15 for 20 for 224 yards and his first two scores since 2002, when he played for Kansas City.

Griese was 21 for 45 for 295 yards and one TD.

Taylor update. At least one of the four suspects charged in the killing of Redskins star Sean Taylor was part of an earlier break-in at the player's home, the Miami Herald reported.

Detective Mario Rachid of the Miami-Dade Police Department said he could not confirm the connection.

"They're still actively working," he said of investigators.

Taylor died Nov. 27, a day after he was shot in the bedroom of his home.

Police have said the 24-year-old player was a victim of a botched burglary.

Cowboys. Dallas cornerback Terence Newman has been put on notice by the NFL after indicating his desire for revenge on Detroit quarterback Jon Kitna.

Posted on Newman's locker yesterday was a letter he received from the NFL after he made comments about Kitna during a satellite radio interview. Newman declined to comment to reporters when he walked through the locker room.

"Be advised that your comments will now compel us to carefully monitor your activities in this weekend's Cowboys-Lions game," read part of the letter, signed by Ray Anderson, the NFL executive vice president for football operations. "As you know, flagrant fouls may subject a player not only to fines, but to suspension as well. So conduct yourself accordingly."

Kitna threw four touchdown passes in the regular-season finale in Dallas last year to end a 3-13 season for Detroit. In an interview the next week with a radio station in Seattle, where the Cowboys had to go for the playoffs, Kitna called out the Dallas defense, notably Newman and linebacker Bradie James.

The Cowboys play at Detroit on Sunday.

Pacman's plea. Adam "Pacman" Jones pleaded no contest to a reduced charge in a Las Vegas strip-club melee that preceded a triple shooting in which a man was left paralyzed.

The Tennessee Titans cornerback appeared in Clark County District Court to accept an agreement that officials said would get him probation in return for his testimony on the gunman who opened fire outside the club at the end of the NBA's all-star weekend in February.

Bills. Backup running back Anthony Thomas' season is over. Buffalo placed him on injured reserve two weeks after he suffered a torn calf muscle in a 36-14 loss in Jacksonville.

Rams. Kick returner Dante Hall, who has been hobbled for much of the season by a high ankle sprain, was put on injured reserve, St. Louis coach Scott Linehan said.

Falcons. Atlanta coach Bobby Petrino announced that quarterback Chris Redman, who was out of the league the last three seasons, would start against New Orleans on Monday night after a strong performance in relief of Joey Harrington.

Steelers. Anthony Smith is not taking back his words. He guaranteed a victory over New England and said he was not backing down.

"I just felt we're going to go out there, we're going to have a good week of practice and everybody's focused, and we're going to get a victory," Smith said.

Noteworthy. The remaining 47 pit bulls seized from suspended quarterback Michael Vick's dogfighting operation in Virginia are being placed with rescue organizations.