NFL-National Football League roundup

Oct 22 (The Sports Xchange) - Some NFL owners and players are distancing themselves from Josh Brown, the New York Giants kicker whose abusive past came to new light this week. The embattled kicker admitted to years of abusive behavior toward his ex-wife in newly released police documents. CBS Sports reported Friday that some teams are unhappy with how the situation has been handled by the league. There have been parallels drawn between the NFL's handling of the Brown case and the Ray Rice domestic violence scandal at the end of the 2013 season. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith joined the chorus of criticism with a series of tweets in response to the news that Brown was placed on the commissioner's exempt list, which still allows him to get paid while he is not eligible to play. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith said the NFL's "system is broken." In addition, NFL owners, executives, coaches and players have privately expressed their displeasure over how the league and the Giants have handled the domestic violence allegations against Brown, sources confirmed to ESPN. - - - The San Francisco 49ers promoted running back DuJuan Harris from their practice squad to add depth at the position. The move gives San Francisco a third running back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday when the 49ers will be without starter Carlos Hyde because of a shoulder injury. Shaun Draughn or Mike Davis will start in Hyde's place. - - - The Baltimore Ravens activated running back Lorenzo Taliaferro from the physically unable to perform list. The team also elevated cornerback Robertson Daniel from the practice squad to the active roster. Taliaferro and Daniel are expected to play for the Ravens (3-3) in Sunday's game against the New York Jets (1-5) at MetLife Stadium. - - - The Houston Texans placed cornerback Kevin Johnson on injured reserve, two days before clash at the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. Johnson suffered a broken foot in Houston's overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts last weekend. Johnson is among four players ruled out for the Texans on Monday, joining safety Quintin Demps (calf), linebacker Brian Peters (quadriceps) and running back Jonathan Grimes (ankle). For the Broncos, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware will miss his fifth consecutive game due to a fractured forearm. He was injured in a Week 2 victory over Indianapolis and has not practiced since. - - - Gail Cogdill, one of the Detroit Lions' all-time leading receivers, has died at the age of 79. Cogdill died Thursday night of complications from heart and kidney failure and dementia in Spokane, Wash. A three-time Pro Bowler, Cogdill was selected by the Lions in the sixth round of the 1960 NFL Draft out of Washington State. He played for Detroit in 1960-68 and at one time held the team record for career receiving yards with 5,221. (Editing by Andrew Both)