NFL roundup: Allen feels bad about lineman hit

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The hit was so uncharacteristic of Jared Allen.

The Minnesota Vikings defensive end has never been accused of being a dirty player, yet there he was, launching himself into Chicago Bears offensive lineman Lance Louis during an interception return by teammate Antoine Winfield on Sunday. The blindside blow ended Louis’ season and drew a $21,000 fine from the NFL.

Allen remained apologetic for the results of the hit, but also was steadfast in his stance that he never intended to injure Louis and thought he made a clean football play.

“Just making a block on an interception,” Allen said. “Like I said before, it was never my intention to hurt a guy. I feel bad that he got hurt. That’s obviously never my intention. But ‘Toine’s coming up the sideline to make a play. I blocked the guy and sometimes bad things happen.”

Coach Leslie Frazier said Allen’s mistake was leaving his feet.

“You have to be careful about leaving your feet,” Frazier said. “Other than that, it was a good block. I didn’t think it was a vicious block.”

In a small way, Allen may have been taking his frustrations out on Louis in the third quarter after spending so much time chasing Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in vain. Even against a banged-up, makeshift offensive line, Allen was rarely able to get even a whiff of Cutler in a demoralizing 28-10 loss at Soldier Field.

The one chance he did get, he ended up a half-step away from Cutler before the QB zipped a 13-yard touchdown pass to Matt Spaeth in the second quarter that put the Bears up 25-3.

“I got chipped by a tight end coming in and missed it by a half-step,” Allen said. “That turns it from a sack, forced fumble to a touchdown. There was a couple times like that.”

Bears' Hester out for Sunday

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester and guard Chris Spencer have been ruled out for Sunday's game against Seattle.

Both players were injured in a win over Minnesota last weekend. Hester had a concussion and Spencer has a knee injury.

The Bears were a banged up bunch after playing the Vikings, with running back Matt Forte, cornerback Charles Tillman and linebacker Lance Briggs suffering ankle injuries and guard Lance Louis tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Briggs, Forte, Tillman and tight end Kellen Davis (ankle) all were limited in practice on Thursday. Louis is out for the rest of the season.

Titans turn to Moore for help

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mike Munchak has hired veteran coach Tom Moore to help the Tennessee Titans after firing offensive coordinator Chris Palmer and giving the job to Dowell Loggains.

Munchak says Thursday that the 32-year-old Loggains still will call the plays starting Sunday when the Titans (4-7) host Houston (10-1). But Loggains had been the quarterbacks coach, and Munchak says they needed more help in the building.

Moore worked with the Jets last season after his stint coaching with the Indianapolis Colts and working with Peyton Manning ended. Munchak says Moore, 74, will be a resource for Loggains and the Titans in general with his 38 years of experience in the NFL.

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