NFL notes: NFLPA looking into Josh Freeman case

The NFL Players Association wants to determine if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaked information about quarterback Josh Freeman being in the NFL's substance abuse program.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said Tuesday, "We are sufficiently concerned about what we've heard to begin an investigation."

Freeman said in a statement released by his agent late Monday that he voluntarily entered the substance-abuse program and submitted to random testing more than a year ago after he mistakenly took Ridalin instead of Adderall to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The Bucs benched the fifth-year pro last week after Freeman played poorly in the team's first three games, all losses. The quarterback believes someone within the Bucs organization leaked information about him being in the league's drug testing program.

Smith was in town Tuesday to meet with Tampa Bay players as part of a league-wide tour to discuss player benefits and other union matters.

Meanwhile, coach Greg Schiano said he was "absolutely not" the source for an ESPN report that Freeman is in Stage I of the substance-abuse program.

Around the league

49ers • Safety Donte Whitner said he was fined $21,000 for his hit on Rams receiver Cris Givens in Thursday's 35-11 victory. Whitner said he would appeal the penalty.

Titans • Quarterback Jake Locker will miss a "few weeks" with a sprained hip, but the team says it is encouraged by the news from a second MRI exam, which confirmed Locker did not suffer major damage to his hip joint.

Chargers • San Diego placed wide receiver Malcom Floyd (neck) and outside linebacker Dwight Freeney (quadriceps) on the reserve-injured list —

Week 5 schedule

Thursday

Buffalo at Cleveland, 6:25 p.m., NFL

Sunday

Detroit at Green Bay, 11 a.m.

New Orleans at Chicago, 11 a.m.

Kansas City at Tennessee, 11 a.m.

Jacksonville at St. Louis, 11 a.m.

New England at Cincinnati, 11 a.m., Ch. 2

Seattle at Indianapolis, 11 a.m., Ch. 13

Baltimore at Miami, 11 a.m.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 11 a.m.

Carolina at Arizona, 2:05 p.m.

Denver at Dallas, 2:25 p.m., Ch. 2

Houston at San Francisco, 6:30 p.m., Ch. 5

San Diego at Oakland, 9:35 p.m.

Open: Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington

Monday

N.Y. Jets at Atlanta, 6:40 p.m., ESPN