The New York Times reported Tuesday that Shawne Merriman has elected to drop the appeal of his four-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. Merriman said the positive drug test stems from a tainted supplement, and not many people give him a chance of avoiding a four-game suspension. If he dropped his appeal, Merriman would miss the Chargers' next four games, against the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. He would be eligible return against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 3.

With Lavar Arrington gone for the season, the New York Giants bolstered their linebacking corps. The Giants on Monday signed free-agent linebacker Chris Claiborne. Terms of the contract were not disclosed, and the team has not yet announced a corresponding roster move.

The Lions on Monday waived wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim. A veteran of eight-plus seasons, Hakim had just 17 receptions for 147 yards in six games with the Lions this year. "It was a football move," Detroit first-year coach Rod Marinelli said. "I'm not going to elaborate on that."

The Seahawks apparently will have to continue to make do without reigning NFL MVP Shaun Alexander. The Seattle Times reported Monday on its Web site that the star running back likely will miss the Seahawks' game against the Raiders next Monday night.

Curtis Martin is done donning his helmet and pads, according to a newspaper report. The Newark Star-Ledger on Monday reported that the veteran Jets running back will not be returning this season and is very close to ending his career.

Minnesota counts itself among the many NFL franchises trying to copy the Patriots' plan for success. The Vikings learned on Monday night that they still have a lot of catching up to do. Tom Brady beat Minnesota's relentless rushing defense by simply throwing over it for 372 yards and touchdowns to four different receivers, and the Patriots pounded the Vikings 31-7 on Monday night to win their sixth straight regular-season road game.

Defensive tackle Montae Reagor, injured in an automobile accident just over a week ago, has been released from the hospital and could rejoin the Colts this week. Coach Tony Dungy said Monday he wasn't sure when Reagor would begin practicing.

Titans linebacker Robert Reynolds pleaded guilty Monday to smashing a cell phone and punching a hole in a wall, but avoided more serious charges after a fight with his estranged wife.

Rod Graves, the Cardinals' vice president of football operations, said after the game that he didn't anticipate a coaching change being made. The focus in the upcoming off week will be on how to improve and break the seven-game losing streak. Free safety Robert Griffith said Green shouldn't be blamed for the team's 1-7 record. "It's really embarrassing for us to not win when we should be winning games," he said. "It's not anything he's doing. It's just very unfortunate with the kind of talent we have here that we're not winning." The losing is wearing on everybody, Griffith said, not just Green. "This is my 14th year doing this," he said. "You think I want to go 1-7? (Expletive). It's just frustrating for everybody."

A Cowboys assistant coach became ill on the team's flight home, forcing the chartered jet to make an unscheduled landing in Nashville, Tenn., early Monday. Strength and conditioning coach Tony Ollison was taken to Southern Hills Medical Center and was in stable condition, the team said.