RENTON, Wash. — Many things can happen at the bottom of a pile. A finger to an eye, a twisted arm, a sucker punch, the list goes on.

But biting?

At least according to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers it does.

Rodgers accused Seattle Seahawks defensive end Darryl Tapp of biting him during the Packers' 27-17 victory over the Seahawks last season, an allegation Tapp steadfastly denies.

"He's not my concern as far as if I bit him or not because it didn't happen," Tapp said.

"I don't understand it. If he believes I bit him, send me the film, the exact play and I'll apologize. I'm pretty sure it didn't happen — pretty positive."

Not only did Tapp deny the incident, but he also seemed puzzled as to the timing of Rodgers' complaint.

"I know me personally, if someone were to bite me I wouldn't wait a whole year to bring it up to somebody to get it handled."

During the fourth quarter of the game, Rodgers was sacked by Brian Russell with Tapp ending up at the bottom of the pile as well. Rodgers drove Tapp's head into the turf as he got up from the pile and looked to his left arm, clearly bothered by something.

"It felt like a bee sting," Rodgers said Wednesday. "I was looking down, and he was biting my arm, so I had to get his teeth off my shoulder. Luckily, I was wearing a long sleeve."

The jovial Tapp was confounded as to how his mouth could have gotten anywhere near Rodgers' arm because he wears a fully caged helmet.

To illustrate his point, he then put his helmet on, buckled the chin strap and tried to bite the arm of a volunteering reporter.

"Where is it going in at?" Tapp asked the throng of reporters. "Somebody tell me. Please tell me. Not only did he say I bit him through the helmet, I had a mouthpiece on and he had sleeves and he ended up having a bruise for three months."

FINES

Late hit costs Redskin $10,000: Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has been fined $10,000 by the NFL and New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs has been hit for $7,500.

The players were fined yesterday for an altercation late in New York's 45-12 victory at Washington. Haynesworth struck Jacobs after a play ended and Jacobs struck back.

The league also fined Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams $5,000 yesterday for a tackle at the knees on Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore.

LIONS

Stafford to miss rest of season: The season is over for Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been placed on injured reserve ahead of what the team calls minor right knee surgery.

Coach Jim Schwartz says the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft was to have undergone the surgery after the season. But Stafford was placed on injured reserve Wednesday after a physical exam indicated he wouldn't be ready to play in the Jan. 3 season finale against Chicago.

PANTHERS

QB Delhomme out for season: The Carolina Panthers have placed quarterback Jake Delhomme on injured reserve with a broken finger on his throwing hand, ending his worst season as a pro.

Delhomme was hurt in a loss to the New York Jets on Nov. 29 and hadn't played or practiced since. Matt Moore has started the last three games.

RAIDERS

RB Lawton suspended 4 games: Oakland fullback Luke Lawton has been suspended four games without pay by the NFL for violating the league's policy against performance enhancing substances.

The 29-year-old Lawton, who has played in 13 games with three starts this season, will miss the Raiders' final two games this season and lose nearly $63,000 in pay. A free agent next year, he would also have to sit out the first two games of the 2010 regular season with whatever team he signs with.

SAINTS

Carney returns to help kickers: Two days after waiving veteran kicker John Carney, New Orleans brought him back as a kicking consultant.

Saints coach Sean Payton announced the move after yesterday's practice. Payton says the 45-year-old Carney's knowledge of the game from his 21 years of playing experience will be invaluable to second-year place kicker Garrett Hartley.

Carney played in 11 games this season, making 13 of 17 field goals and 50 of 52 point-after tries.