The Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. - The parents of a girl paralyzed in an accident caused by a drunken football fan sued the NFL, contending the league should be held responsible for the girl's injuries.

The lawsuit says the league promotes the kind of behavior that led the fan to drink 14 beers at a New York Giants game in 1999 and then drive home.

Ronald and Fazila Verni initially filed their suit in 2001, but it was refiled Thursday in Hackensack to include the NFL and commissioner Paul Tagliabue as defendants.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league had not been served with a copy of the lawsuit and declined comment. Paul Soderman, a lawyer for the Giants, said the team is not responsible.

"Everybody feels badly about it, but that doesn't translate into liability," Soderman said.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville punter Chris Hanson will miss the rest of the season after gashing his non-kicking leg with an ax while chopping a log in the locker room in what was supposed to be a motivational stunt.

Hanson was put on the reserve list for non-football injuries Friday.

Unlike players who are placed on injured reserve, those on the non-football list don't necessarily have to be paid by their teams. But the Jaguars said they will give Hanson his $375,000 salary.

FALCONS: Atlanta receiver Peerless Price returned to practice despite a foot injury.

Price, who has not missed a game in his five-year career, caught 12 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown last week in a loss to Minnesota. He did not practice Thursday because of a sore right foot but was back on the field Friday and upgraded to questionable.

GIANTS: New York listed tight end Jeremy Shockey as probable on its injury report with a minor foot injury.

The extent of the injury and when it happened were not known. Because Shockey is probable, there is a 75 percent chance he will play against the Patriots on Sunday.

DOLPHINS: Injured Miami linebacker Junior Seau missed practice Friday and might not play Sunday against Jacksonville.

Coach Dave Wannstedt said Seau, who has a strained left hamstring, won't start but could be used sparingly.

COLTS: Indianapolis running back Edgerrin James missed practice again, this time because of the flu.

James, who missed the last two games with a sore back, is expected to return to practice today, but a decision on whether he will play against Carolina on Sunday probably will not be made until just before kickoff.

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