PATRIOTS
Arguments set for February
NEW YORK -- A New York federal appeals court says February will be the earliest it will hear arguments in the NFL's appeal of the lifting of a four-game suspension of New England quarterback Tom Brady in the "Deflategate" controversy.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday that oral arguments could be heard as early as Feb. 1. The NFL and the NFL Players Association had agreed on the expedited timetable. Lawyers will submit written arguments prior to the oral arguments. Typically, a decision is not immediately rendered once arguments occur.
On Sept. 3, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman ruled that the NFL did not act properly when it suspended Brady for four games after concluding balls were deflated when the Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts in January's AFC championship game.
Brady: Comments out of context
BOSTON -- Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says his comments that he hopes Donald Trump will win the presidency were taken out of context and an example of why he tries to say as little as possible when speaking publicly.
Brady said during a radio interview that his vote is going to be his own personal choice based on how he feels. He says he hasn't paid attention to politics in a long time and doesn't know what the issues are.
The clarification comes after Brady displayed a red "Make America Great Again" hat from the Trump campaign in his locker while speaking with reporters earlier this month, the same day as a Republican presidential debate. When asked whether he thinks Trump has what it takes to win the presidency, Brady said: "I hope so. It would be great. There would be a putting green on the White House lawn, I'm sure of that."
BROWNS
O-line coach gone
CLEVELAND -- The Browns say they have parted ways with suspended offensive line coach Andy Moeller.
Moeller was recently investigated for an alleged domestic assault against his fiancee at his home in Berea, Ohio. The city's prosecutor decided not to press any charges against Moeller, who was indefinitely suspended by the Browns two days after the incident.
The team released a statement saying it mutually agreed to part ways with Moeller, who told the team "he desires to devote his full attention and focus on his family."
Moeller was in his second season on Mike Pettine's staff with Cleveland. He was suspended for two games in 2011 while with Baltimore for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy following a drunken driving conviction.
REDSKINS
Crash costs about $237,000
MINNEAPOLIS -- A crash last November involving buses carrying the Washington Redskins on their way to play the Minnesota Vikings will cost the city of Minneapolis more than $237,000.
The Star Tribune reported the proposed settlement will be discussed and likely approved next week by the city's budget committee. The payment would be split about evenly between Minneapolis-based Lorenz Bus Service and Gotham Insurance Company.
Two buses transporting the Redskins collided on an interstate exit ramp near TCF Bank Stadium. A squad car moving toward the front of the motorcade lost control, causing an abrupt stop and one bus to rear end another.
Injuries were minor, but running back Silas Redd was held out of the game because of back spasms. The Minneapolis Police Department subsequently suspended the practice of escorting pro sports teams.
STEELERS
QB relieved about knee
PITTSBURGH -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he's frustrated but relieved his knee injury is not more serious.
Roethlisberger is out indefinitely after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee and sustaining a bone bruise. He was hurt in the third quarter of last Sunday's 12-6 victory at St. Louis. Roethlisberger says he initially thought he broke his leg and was pleased his MRI revealed no extensive damage.
He does not believe the hit by Rams safety Mark Barron was dirty.
Michael Vick will start Thursday night when Pittsburgh hosts Baltimore. Roethlisberger isn't sure when he'll be cleared to return but hopes to be on the sideline in support if he can get off crutches by then.
BEARS
Pair signed, one waived
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have signed safety Chris Prosinski and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds and waived safety Brock Vereen.
Prosinski has appeared in 56 games with nine starts over four seasons with Jacksonville (2011-14) and Philadelphia (2014), collecting 73 tackles. He also has 27 special-teams tackles.
Reynolds appeared in 30 games with three starts for Jacksonville from 2013 to 2015.
Vereen had 38 defensive tackles and nine special-teams stops in two seasons for Chicago.
The Bears (0-3) have been busy after getting shut out for the first time since 2002 in a 26-0 loss at Seattle, trading Jared Allen to Carolina and Jonathan Bostic to New England. Chicago hosts Oakland this week.
TEXANS
Kicker released after miss
HOUSTON -- Kicker Randy Bullock has been released by the Houston Texans after missing an extra point and a field-goal attempt on Sunday.
Veteran Nick Novak was signed Tuesday to take his place. Bullock, who was in his third season out of Texas A&M, also missed an extra point in Week 1.
His missed field-goal attempt was from 43 yards on Sunday.
Novak played for the San Diego Chargers for the past four seasons and also played for Washington, Arizona and Kansas City.
CHARGERS
Veteran signed
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers have signed veteran center J.D. Walton and promoted tackle Tyreek Burwell from the team’s practice squad.
Walton started all 16 games at center for the New York Giants in 2014. He played for the Denver Broncos when their offensive coordinator was Mike McCoy, now in his third season as Chargers coach. The Chargers also re-signed guard Michael Huey to the practice squad.
Sports on 09/30/2015