A bad season for the Chicago Bears just got worse.

The NFL said yesterday that quarterback Jay Cutler has been fined $20,000 for abusive conduct toward a game official during a 41-21 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals Sunday.

Cutler drew an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty with 6:24 left in the third quarter after an incomplete pass to tight end Greg Olsen on a fourth-down play with the Bears trailing, 34-7, at the time. Cutler apparently thought there should have been an interference penalty.

The fine came one day after Cutler threw five interceptions in a 10-6 loss at San Francisco. Cutler has thrown an NFL-worst 17 interceptions this season for the Bears (4-5).

The NFL also said Chicago defensive lineman Tommie Harris had been fined $7,500 for punching Cardinals offensive lineman Deuce Lutui on the fourth play from scrimmage. Harris was ejected and later apologized.

Player fines collected by the league have been used to support retired player programs, including the NFL Player Care Foundation and NFLPA Players Assistance Trust, disaster relief programs and other charities.

One day after Jamal Lewis' anti-Mangini rant, he was being hailed as a hero. Maybe because he stood up to his coach. Yesterday, Cleveland coach Eric Mangini defended the length and intensity of his practices after Lewis had complained that Mangini was wearing out his players during the week with 2 1/2- to 3-hour workouts, and by Sunday, they have nothing left. "Two hours of work on the field is a very reasonable time," said Mangini, 1-7 in his first season with Cleveland. "The only time that practices are extended is if we don't execute something the right way." Mangini said that he and Lewis, a team captain, had a "good conversation" Thursday and discussed their differences.

Buffalo receiver Terrell Owens returned to practice yesterday and said he could play tomorrow at Tennessee after he was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday because a strained hip.

After the NFL gave Arizona a 24-hour extension on the television blackout deadline, the defending NFC champion announced it had sold out the game tomorrow against the Seattle Seahawks. The Cardinals said they had about 800 tickets remaining Thursday. It was the fourth time this season Arizona needed a 24-hour blackout deadline extension from the league.

• Former Denver coach Mike Shanahan is among personalities selected for the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Shanahan was fired in December after 14 seasons and two Super Bowls with the Broncos. He is 146-98 in his coaching career, which he plans to resume next season.

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