The Associated Press

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was suspended for two games without pay by the NFL for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, one day after pleading guilty to trying to set up a drug deal four years ago.

Lewis will not appeal the punishment and will miss those games in late October, the Ravens said. He plans to play Sunday night at Washington.

Lewis also was fined two weeks' salary, $380,500, in the decision issued Friday by NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. That means Lewis will lose a total of $761,000.

"You have needlessly sullied your own reputation and reinforced unfair and negative public perceptions of NFL players generally," Tagliabue said.

A drug-related legal violation is grounds for league discipline under the NFL's substance-abusepolicy.

A player has five days to appeal a suspension. Though Lewis does not plan to appeal, Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne said, he will use the five days to consult with his lawyers, allowing Lewis to play against the Redskins.

Lewis will miss the Ravens' home game Oct. 24 against Buffalo and their game Oct. 31 in Philadelphia.

Under an agreement with prosecutors, he will not miss any playing time while serving his sentence of four months in federal prison and two months in a halfway house.

DOLPHINS: Former Miami running back Ricky Williams says he misses football but will play only one more season if he returns.

In an interview that will appear in Esquire early next month, Williams also said he regrets not talking with Miami coach Dave Wannstedt before he abruptly retired.

"I should have been man enough to have a conversation with Dave before all this happened," Williams said. "But I didn't. I got scared, and I just told him I was retiring."

Earlier this week, Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, said his client had asked the NFL how soon he could return to play.

Williams has acknowledged repeated violations of the NFL drug program. The Dolphins say their understanding is he must serve a suspension for the rest of this season if he tries to return.

By returning to the Dolphins, Williams could avoid paying $8.6 million for breach of contract.

COLTS: With kicker Mike Vanderjagt questionable because of a hamstring injury, Indianapolis signed former Giants kicker Matt Bryant. Vanderjagt, who injured his right hamstring Sunday against Jacksonville, did not kick Friday but indicated he still hopes to play Sunday against Oakland. He plans to kick today to test his leg.

GIANTS: Backup linebacker Wes Mallard will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Mallard tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at practice Thursday.

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