New Orleans Saints veterans Deuce McAllister and Will Smith reportedly are among several players who have violated the NFL steroids policy.

Fox 31 television in Denver, citing an unnamed source, reported yesterday there are between six and 10 positive tests in the NFL for a weight-loss diuretic. The only names the station mentioned were the two Saints, who are in London for tomorrow's game with the San Diego Chargers.

Houston TV station KRIV later reported Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman also tested positive and would appeal.

"Bryan did everything humanly possible to comply with the NFL steroid policy, including obtaining doctor's written authorization to take weight loss medication," attorney David Cornwell said in a statement for the Houston station. "He did not use steroids."

ESPN.com, citing two unnamed sources, reported the number of positive tests is more than 10 and may exceed 15.

"These men are entitled to confidentiality and entitled to go through appeal process, so the (Fox 31) report ... is completely unfair," Cornwell said. "The cornerstone of any workplace testing program, especially one in professional sports with high-profile people, is confidentiality."

Saints spokesman Greg Bensel, who was with the team in London, said drug testing is a league matter and the team would have no immediate comment.

According to the NFL's policy, the first positive test results in a four-game suspension.

In August, Jets running back Jesse Chatman was suspended for four games for violating the league's drug policy. He said he tested for a diuretic — "something I never even heard of" — that could be used as a masking agent.

When used as a masking agent a diuretic dilutes the urine, which results in lower levels of the banned substance being excreted from the body. That can make it more difficult to detect banned substances.

The Fox 31 report said three or four of the positive tests belonged to the Saints, and that McAllister and Smith tested positive for Bumetanide.

GIANTS

BURRESS FINED $45,000 FOR LAST WEEK'S ACTIONS

New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was fined $45,000 by the NFL for verbally abusing an official and tossing a ball into the stands during last weekend's game against San Francisco.

Burress was fined $20,000 for comments to head linesman Phil McKinnely after the official called him for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second quarter, and $20,000 for inappropriate comments after the game on the officiating.

McKinnely had called Burress for offensive pass interference against cornerback Nate Clements on the previous play. After the next play, Burress drew the unsportsmanlike penalty for some choice remarks to the officials.

Burress was assessed another $5,000 fine for throwing a ball into the stands after catching a touchdown in the third quarter.

Burress was suspended by the Giants for one game earlier this season for missing a team meeting Sept. 22, a decision that cost him $117,500. He has admitted to being fined 20 to 30 times by the team for violating team rules since joining the Giants in 2005.

SEAHAWKS

QB HASSELBECK OUT; BRANCH QUESTIONABLE

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will again be watching from the sidelines. Receiver Deion Branch is likely to join him.

Hasselbeck will not play today when Seattle travels to San Francisco. Hasselbeck still has not reached the required benchmarks as part of his recovery from a bulging disk in his back causing weakening in his right knee.

Backup Seneca Wallace will get his second consecutive start for the Seahawks (1-5).

Branch missed the previous two games with a bruised heel after getting hurt against the Giants in his first game back from major reconstructive knee surgery in the offseason. The swelling and bruising in Branch's heal have gone down, but the foot is still sore.

Despite not practicing all week, Branch was listed as questionable for today's game.

REDSKINS

DE TAYLOR WILL HAVE SECOND SURGERY ON CALF

Washington defensive end Jason Taylor went to a hospital yesterday to have his left calf re-examined, and coach Jim Zorn said Taylor will have a second operation on the leg next week.

Taylor did not practice but still hopes to play today against the Detroit Lions. He is listed as questionable on the injury report.

"To be honest, I don't even know what the game plan is right now," Taylor said. "I'm going to the hospital now to find out what we're going to do, and the only thing I'm focused on right now is hopefully playing in the game on Sunday and trying to help this team beat the Lions. The rest of that stuff doesn't really matter right now."

Taylor was kicked in the calf during Washington's victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 21. Blood began to pool in the leg overnight, and Taylor had to undergo an emergency operation the next morning. He missed two games, then played a limited role in the last two while wearing a titanium pad on the leg. Stitches were removed this week, but bleeding continued to be a problem.

Taylor, the NFL's career sacks leader among active players, has only one sack this season.

ELSEWHERE

Broncos: Denver's lopsided loss to New England proved costly for several Broncos players, with the league fining Ryan Harris, Michael Pittman and Jamie Winborn $5,000 each for various infractions. Harris, an offensive tackle, drew a fine for unnecessary roughness when he shoved a Patriots player late following a fumble in the first quarter. Pittman was penalized for a chop block in the fourth quarter and Winborn for grabbing quarterback Matt Cassel by the face mask in the second quarter, with the league deeming it a "major" face mask.

Steelers: Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker unexpectedly did not practice yesterday because of ongoing problems with his sprained left knee and is unlikely to play today against the New York Giants. Also, wide receiver Santonio Holmes also was held out of practice and will be deactivated today after city police stopped his car and smelled burning marijuana Thursday.

Rams: Running back Steven Jackson's availability for today's game at New England will be a game-time decision because of a strained right thigh muscle, St. Louis coach Jim Haslett said yesterday. Jackson did some individual work before practice in St. Louis, but he did not work out with the team.

Bills: Right guard Brad Butler (sprained left knee) and defensive end Aaron Schobel (left foot) won't play today for Buffalo, leaving the AFC East-leading Bills without two key starting linemen for their game at Miami.

Panthers: Carolina is expected to be without offensive tackle Jeff Otah and center Ryan Kalil today when it hosts the Arizona Cardinals. Both have ankle injuries.

Dolphins: Miami cornerback Michael Lehan was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, and the team re-signed free-agent cornerback Joey Thomas.