The Associated Press

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Two days after Bill Romanowski seriously injured teammate Marcus Williams during a fight in practice, the Oakland Raiders' controversial linebacker was remorseful and apologetic.

"I hold myself accountable," Romanowski said of his latest episode of bad behavior. "It was a classless move by me."

An apology might not be enough for Williams, whose eye socket was broken in the fight. The reserve tight end was placed on injured reserve Tuesday - and he hasn't ruled out legal action, according to his agent, Lee Kolligian.

"Is there any excuse for potentially ending a player's football career?" Kolligian asked. "He's kind of waiting to see the extent of the damage. ... We'd rather not (sue), but if it comes down that this man has lost his football career as a result of this incident, then I would hope we can get some compensation."

Romanowski ripped off Williams' helmet and punched the reserve tight end in the face, breaking his left orbital bone and chipping his tooth. The fight came at the end of a running play during a 9-on-7 drill Sunday.

Williams, a second-year pro who played mostly on special teams last season, was taken to a local hospital for a series of tests. He saw an eye specialist Monday and was told to rest at home for a week until the swelling goes down, but Williams still has double vision.

Romanowski was suspended from Monday's practice and fined an undisclosed amount by the team, but he was back in Alameda on Tuesday. Romanowski said he had spoken with Williams since the incident.

"I made my apologies," Romanowski said. "I said what I had to say to him. I pretty much told everybody what I had to say. You can try to make excuses, but there's no excuses. It just won't happen again."

Akili Smith, the third overall pick by the Bengals in the 1999 NFL draft, was cut by the Green Bay Packers Tuesday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

PACKERS: Quarterback Akili Smith, taken by Cincinnati with the third overall pick of the 1999 draft, was released.

Smith, signed by the Packers after being cut by the Bengals earlier this year, was caught behind starter Brett Favre, veteran backup Doug Pederson and former NFL Europe QB Craig Nall. He was just 3-for-12 for 20 yards in a loss to Carolina last Saturday.

"He needed to be in the minicamps so he'd really know what he was doing coming into these games," offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said. "I think he would have played much better had he been here and known his assignments and known his reads a little bit better."

Also released was tight end Tyrone Davis, who started 27 games at tight end since 1997 and caught 71 passes for 780 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has been plagued by injuries and weight problems during the last several seasons.

BILLS: Willis McGahee will miss at least the first six weeks of the season after Buffalo placed the first-round draft pick on the reserve non-football injury list Tuesday.

RAMS: The offensive line got a big boost when left tackle Orlando Pace ended his holdout and signed a one-year contract as the team's franchise player. The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Pace was expected to sign for the franchise tender offer of $5.73 million.

SEAHAWKS: Defensive tackle Chad Eaton, who has had two operations on his right knee since May, is out for the season after the team placed him on injured reserve.

Reserve receiver Jason Willis, who has a broken thumb, also went on injured reserve.

REDSKINS: Defensive tackle Lional Dalton was traded from Denver to Washington, then had to be carted off the field with heat-related symptoms on a sauna-like day during his first practice with Washington.

49ERS: Defensive tackle Josh Shaw was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Shaw, a second-year pro from Michigan State, left the team to enter the league's substance abuse rehabilitation program. He will be eligible to return to the 49ers on Sept. 29.

CHIEFS: Tight end Tony Gonzalez injured his left knee during practice when he was hit while reaching for a pass. Coach Dick Vermeil said early indications were that the injury did not threaten the All-Pro's career or season.

BUCS: Andre Rison, 36, worked out, but did not sign a contract. Bucs coach Jon Gruden had little to say about the receiver's 10-minute workout and declined to speculate on whether Rison will resume his NFL career with the Bucs.

"I wouldn't say anything other than we're just beginning preliminary looks into his situation, as we are other people who are eligible to join our team. We're always looking to get better," Gruden said.

• Receiver Jacquez Green and offensive tackle Anthony Davis were released.

JETS: New York signed Jamie Martin to bolster its depth at quarterback following the loss of starter Chad Pennington. Martin worked out with the Jets, then signed later in the afternoon.

Martin was released by St. Louis in February after starting two games for the Rams in 2002.

CHARGERS: San Diego signed running back Leon Johnson to a one-year contract, then released 10 players as they reduced their roster to 68. Johnson played with the New York Jets from 1997-99 and the Chicago Bears in 2001-2002. He signed with St. Louis as an unrestricted free agent this offseason but was released by the Rams Monday.

The Chargers released several players, including former Cincinnati Bearcats running back DeMarco McCleskey.

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