The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said Warren Sapp isn't a dirty player and criticized Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman for initiating an argument with the Buccaneers' All-Pro defensive tackle.

Sherman angrily confronted Sapp on Sunday, accusing him of taking a cheap shot at Packers lineman Chad Clifton during a third-quarter interception return that led to the go-ahead score in Tampa Bay's 21-7 victory over Green Bay.

Sapp vehemently denied that he leveled Clifton with an illegal hit and also refuted Sherman's contention that he made the situation worse by celebrating while Clifton remained on the ground.

The NFL reviewed the play Monday and said the hit was clean.

"Warren Sapp did nothing illegal or malicious. He made an aggressive play," Gruden said Monday. "When a ball is intercepted, we're trying to score. No matter how that play is interpreted by a coach on another team or a fan of another team, Warren Sapp made no error whatsoever. And the celebration had nothing to do with the guy being injured, I can guarantee you that."

BROWNS: Cornerback Daylon McCutcheon has a broken right thumb but isn't expected to miss this weekend's game against the Carolina Panthers. Cleveland coach Butch Davis said McCutcheon will have surgery today and is expected to have two screws inserted into his thumb.

CHARGERS: Cornerback Ryan McNeil had surgery on his broken right forearm and will miss Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. McNeil was hurt tackling running back Ricky Williams during Sunday's 30-3 loss at Miami.

COLTS: Indianapolis kicker Mike Vanderjagt had already kicked a 54-yard field goal through a heavy snowfall at the end of regulation, but Colts coach Tony Dungy wasn't sure he wanted him to try a second 50-yarder in overtime.

So who did the coach turn to for advice? Justin Snow, of course.

Indianapolis' holder talked Dungy into the kick, and Vanderjagt rewarded him with a 51-yard field goal to help the Colts beat Denver 23-20 Sunday night.

Dungy wanted to punt, but Snow said Vanderjagt could make it. Several other players chimed in to help change Dungy's mind.

"I was determined to punt the ball, because I thought we could back them up and stop them and get good field position," Dungy said. "They all, to a man, said, `No, let's win right here.'"

DOLPHINS: Quarterback Jay Fiedler could be cleared to practice Wednesday, but he doesn't expect to return to Miami's starting lineup for another two weeks.

PACKERS: Wide receiver Donald Driver signed a five-year contract. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Driver had turned down a three-year, $3 million offer from the Kansas City Chiefs to stay in Green Bay for $563,000.

RAMS: Marshall Faulk could miss his third straight game when the St.Louis Rams play at Philadelphia on Sunday. Faulk has missed only nine games in eight-plus seasons, but Rams coach Mike Martz said the running back's ankle hasn't improved with rest.

TEXANS: Houston quarterback David Carr's practice time will be scaled back because of a sprained left ankle. "We'll wait and see how well he comes out and how well he moves around on it Wednesday," Texans coach Dom Capers said.

TITANS: Receiver Kevin Dyson might miss four weeks because of an injured hamstring, and quarterback Steve McNair has a strained rib, injured shin and turf toe.

VIKINGS: Running back Michael Bennett is questionable for this weekend's game against the Atlanta Falcons with a sprained right ankle. Bennett, who is second in the NFC with 908 yards rushing, would be replaced by Moe Williams.