NFL roundup: Broncos coach Fox hospitalized

Denver Broncos coach John Fox was taken to a hospital Saturday after feeling light-headed while playing golf in Charlotte, N.C., the team announced Saturday.

Fox was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

The Broncos said in a statement that Fox "is being held at the hospital for testing and further observation. Our medical staff is currently in contact with Coach Fox, his family and the doctors who are treating him. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available."

The Broncos are on a bye this week.

---The Dallas Cowboys placed veteran guard Brian Waters on injured reserve and signed cornerback Micah Pellerin off the practice squad.

Waters suffered a triceps injury against Detroit last week and reportedly was hoping to avoid surgery, but the Cowboys need an extra cornerback with Morris Claiborne missing due to a hamstring injury. The only other corners on the 53-man roster are Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick and B.W. Webb.

Waters, a 13-year veteran who played most of his career in Kansas City, had started five games since signing with the Cowboys on Sept. 4. Mackenzy Bernadeau will replace Waters in the starting lineup.

---The Chicago Bears agreed to a one-year deal with defensive lineman Jay Ratliff.

Ratliff was released by the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago after failing a physical.

Ratliff visited the Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins this week. He was also reportedly contacted by the Cincinnati Bengals hours after they lost defensive tackle Geno Atkins to a season-ending knee injury Thursday night.

Ratliff is reportedly two to four weeks away from being ready to play. He has been out for almost a year with a groin injury that led to sports hernia surgery in December. He also faces drunk driving charges stemming from an arrest six weeks after then-Cowboys backup Josh Brent's alcohol-related crash that killed teammate Jerry Brown Jr. Ratliff's trial is scheduled for February.

Ratliff faces his former team when the Bears play the Cowboys Dec. 9.

---In its investigation of an incident that led to Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin leaving the team, the NFL Players Association is looking into the possible role of Martin's teammate Richie Incognito.

Martin, the Dolphins' second-round draft pick in 2012 out of Stanford, has not been with the Dolphins since a Monday incident in which players jokingly refused to sit with him in the team's cafeteria.

Martin has reportedly been the subject of teasing and bullying by teammates in the locker room since 2012.

Incognito told NFL.com that he heard back from Martin on Friday after he reached out to him to see how he was doing.

"Yeah, I'm good man," Martin wrote during their conversation that lasted 19 text messages. "It's insane bro, but just know I don't blame you guys at all. It's just the culture around football, and the locker room got to me a little."

Martin's representatives would not comment to NFL.com about the situation.

One high-ranking Dolphins official who did not want to be identified told ESPN that Incognito has been a "model citizen" and is puzzled by the allegations of Incognito's involvement.

However, other sources told ESPN that Incognito has been involved in the alleged harassment of Martin going back to 2012. One of the sources said the emotional issues Martin has relate directly to the harassment.

An NFL spokesman said the league has contacted the Dolphins since Martin left the team and is monitoring the situation.

The players union said it is thoroughly investigating the team's workplace environment and players allegedly involved, including Martin and Incognito. NFLPA attorneys have already gathered details that identify Incognito prominently as one of the offenders, a source told ESPN.

Incognito sustained a neck injury during Thursday night's win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dolphins coach Joe Philbin on Friday addressed reports that Martin may have left the team because of bullying from teammates.

"I'm aware of this report, and I can say without question that we emphasize a culture of team first, accountability and respect for one another," said Philbin, who gave the team the day off. "Any behavior that deviates from that is inconsistent with the values of our organization.

"This is something that we take very seriously. It will not be tolerated."

The team said Martin would be welcomed back.

---The New England Patriots placed starting defensive tackle Tommy Kelly on season-ending injured reserve.

Kelly injured his right knee against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 6. He returned to practice Wednesday but did not practice Friday, apparently due to a setback.

The Patriots promoted rookie guard Josh Kline from the practice squad to take Kelly's roster spot.

---The New Orleans Saints activated linebacker Jonathan Vilma to their 53-man roster. Cornerback Chris Carr was waived to make room for Vilma.

Vilma was placed on injured reserve/eligible to return during the preseason after he had arthroscopic knee surgery. He began practicing last week.

Sunday's game against the New York Jets is the first game for which Vilma is eligible to return.

---Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman was declared probable for Monday night's game against the Green Bay Packers.

The Chicago Tribune reported Saturday that Tillman showed no signs of limitation with his injured right knee after practice Saturday.

Tillman has had inflammation in the knee since September. He missed the Oct. 10 game against the New York Giants and exited early the following game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 20.

---Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart was activated from the physically unable to perform list.

Coach Ron Rivera said after Friday's practice that he would be officially placed on the active roster.

"Jonathan looked good and we'll do all the official stuff tomorrow," Rivera said.

Running back Armond Smith was waived to make room for Stewart on the roster.

---Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is due in court Dec. 27 stemming from a drunk driving arrest in Alameda County, California.

Ivan Golde, Lynch's attorney, told ESPN that a judge denied a motion to suppress evidence and dismiss the case. Golde said he plans to seek a continuance to postpone the trial until after the season.

Lynch was arrested in July 2012. A breathalyzer test registered a blood alcohol content over the state's legal limit of 0.08, according to police.

---The New York Jets promoted rookie safety Rontez Miles from the practice squad to the active roster and cut wide receiver Michael Campbell.

Miles, an undrafted free agent out of California (Pa.), had four tackles and one pass breakup during the preseason.

Campbell played in four games this season with no catches.

---The Minnesota Vikings signed tight end Chase Ford off the practice squad and released defensive end Justin Trattou.

This is a reversal of a move made earlier this week when the Vikings cut Ford and re-signed Trattou as rumors swirled that the Vikings might trade defensive end Jared Allen.