Vilma petitions judge to proceed with suit

Saints linebacker Jon Vilma has filed a motion urging a federal judge to reject NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's motion to dismiss the Saints linebacker's defamation lawsuit.

Vilma's motion filed Friday says Goodell acted with reckless disregard for the truth when basing initial allegations about Vilma upon one fired Saints assistant whose testimony has been inconsistent and challenged by other witnesses in the NFL's bounty probe of the Saints.

The motion centers on Goodell's public comments that Vilma held up $10,000 cash in a team meeting in 2010, offering it to anyone who knocked Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner out of a playoff game.

During recent NFL appeal hearings in the bounty case, former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams testified he never saw any money.

The New York Giants will play a critical game Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Falcons without their leading rusher.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin confirmed that Ahmad Bradshaw will not play due to lingering knee and foot problems.

"It would have been a reach for him to be ready," Coughlin said of Bradshaw, who was spotted with his knee heavily wrapped and not participating in any football activities.

"I'm sure he's disappointed right now. With someone like that and his constitution, he thinks that come game day he'll be fine and be able to play. But medically, it was the only wise move to keep him out."

Robert Griffin III practiced for the third straight day on his sprained right knee, albeit again on a limited basis, and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

"He keeps on improving every day," coach Mike Shanahan said, adding he will wait until Sunday to reveal whether Griffin or fellow rookie Kirk Cousins will start.

The Seattle Seahawks will be without starting cornerback Walter Thurmond against the Buffalo Bills in Toronto on Sunday.

Thurmond injured his hamstring during practice Wednesday and has been officially ruled out. The Seahawks will be forced to start their third cornerback in as many weeks against the Bills.

Julio Jones isn't interested in discussing his accomplishments. Bravado is not his style.

When the Atlanta Falcons host the New York Giants, Jones could move into a bigger role and become quarterback Matt Ryan's top target.

Roddy White, the team's leading receiver, has a sore right knee and did not practice this week.

If Jones becomes Ryan's primary option, the second-year wideout said he is prepared for the challenge. But don't expect Jones to pound his chest or do some fancy dance in the end zone.

Long before he became the NFL's sixth overall draft pick 20 months ago out of Alabama, Jones preferred a lower profile, saying "I've been like this my whole life."

Jets rookie defensive lineman Quinton Coples was fined $15,000 by the NFL for grabbing the facemask of Jacksonville quarterback Chad Henne.

Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara was fined $15,750 for a horse-collar tackle on Saints running back Pierre Thomas.

Lions offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus was docked $10,000 for a chop block in Detriot's loss at Green Bay.

Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan was fined $10,000 for grabbing Bills running back C.J. Spiller by the facemask.

Bears cornerback Charles Tillman was fined $7,875 fine for a late hit on Vikings running back Toby Gerhart.