The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS - Cincinnati attorney Stan Chesley said Korey Stringer's widow will sue the NFL today, alleging that the league's policies led to Stringer's heat stroke death during the Minnesota Vikings' training camp in 2001.

Chesley said Kelci Stringer's suit would also name football helmet maker Riddell Sports Group Inc., and some NFL medical advisers.

He said the federal lawsuit would include a wrongful death claim on behalf of Stringer's widow and son, and a class action claim on behalf of all NFL players.

"What's on trial here is the rules and procedures and the culture" of the NFL, Chesley said Saturday. "Frankly, it's no coincidence that the average football player in the NFL plays for 4 1/2 years. They use them up and spit them out."

Chesley declined to say publicly where the lawsuit would be filed. The planned suit was first reported by The New York Times.

Stringer collapsed during training camp July 31, 2001, in sweltering heat and humidity. The 335-pound Pro Bowl lineman's body temperature was 108.8 degrees when he arrived at a hospital. He died 15 hours later.

Kelci Stringer had already filed a $100 million wrongful-death lawsuit against the Vikings and the team's training camp physician, David Knowles. In April, a Hennepin County District Court judge dismissed Kelci Stringer's claims against the team. She later settled with Knowles for an undisclosed sum.

JAGUARS: Defensive lineman Larry Smith collapsed during practice Sunday but was recovering in a Jacksonville hospital.

Team spokesman Dan Edwards said Smith, a fifth-year player, would be hospitalized overnight for observation. Edwards said Smith was listed in good condition.

The temperature at the Jaguars' practice facility was 87 degrees around the time Smith collapsed, and with the humidity, it felt like 95 degrees, according to National Weather Service data.

"He went to the hospital to have tests done," coach Jack Del Rio said.

RAMS: Free safety Jason Sehorn broke his left foot during practice Sunday and is expected to be out until October.

Sehorn was carted off the field about 30 minutes before the end of practice. X-rays revealed a fracture of the fifth metatarsal.

Trainer Jim Anderson said Sehorn landed awkwardly on the foot after being pushed from behind. He is expected to miss about 10 weeks.

Sehorn left the New York Giants and signed a $1 million free-agent deal with the Rams.

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