NFL roundup: Goldson, Walden suspended one game each
The NFL suspended Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Erik Walden for one game apiece for violating the league's safety rules, the league announced Monday.
Goldson was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons after making direct, helmet-to-helmet contact with a defenseless receiver, Atlanta's Roddy White.
It's Goldson's third violation of the rule this season. Goldson was fined $30,000 for striking a defenseless player in the head and neck area in a Week 1 game against the New York Jets. Later, he was initially suspended for making direct, helmet-to-helmet contact with a defenseless receiver in a Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints. The discipline for the Week 2 violation was subsequently reduced on appeal to a $100,000 fine.
Walden was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter of last Thursday night's game against the Tennessee Titans. After ripping the helmet off the head of Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker, Walden delivered a head butt with his helmet to Walker's uncovered head.
--- Independent investigator Ted Wells announced that he will interview Miami Dolphins players, coaches and staff as he continues his probe of the team's bullying scandal.
The NFL hired Wells, a lawyer, to look into claims that second-year offensive tackle Jonathan Martin was harassed and bullied by offensive guard Richie Incognito and other teammates. Martin met with Wells for nearly eight hours on Friday.
NFL Media reported last week that Wells plans to focus his investigation on the Dolphins' locker room and speak to players most familiar with Martin and Incognito's relationship.
---Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was ruled out of next Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams because he continues recovering from a high ankle sprain.
Coach Marc Trestman said that Cutler is week-to-week but would not play against the Rams.
Backup Josh McCown filled in for Cutler and threw for 216 yards with a touchdown and had a 92.9 passer rating in the win.
---Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker sustained a concussion during Sunday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team announced.
Due to NFL concussion protocol, Welker will be limited in practice at least until Friday, even if he passes a baseline test Monday.
---Broncos safety Rahim Moore is expected to be out for several weeks because of a serious lower leg injury, according to the Denver Post.
Moore left in the second quarter of Sunday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. It is not clear how he was injured.
---The New England Patriots will activate running back Shane Vereen for Monday night's game against the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN.
Vereen has been out with a broken wrist he sustained during the Patriots' season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
---New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said cornerback Jabari Greer's knee injury is "significant" but did not provide any details.
Greer was injured during Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers.
---Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome was released from a hospital after having a health scare, the team announced.
The Ravens said Newsome was on his way back home and "feeling fine" a day after being hospitalized in Chicago, where the Ravens lost to the Bears.
"Ozzie is expected back in the Ravens' office and on the treadmill soon," the team wrote on Twitter.
---The Tennessee Titans signed quarterback John Skelton.
Skelton, 25, spent three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
Tennessee needs another quarterback with starter Jake Locker out for the season with a foot injury. Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting in place of Locker, who was injured Nov. 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
---Former NFL linebacker Frank Chamberlin died Sunday after battling brain cancer. He was 35.
Chamberlin played five seasons in the NFL. He was a fifth-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2000 and played 43 games from 2000-02. He also played 14 games combined with the Cincinnati Bengals (2003) and Houston Texans (2005).
---Despite being replaced by Matt Schaub during Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders, Case Keenum will remain the Houston Texans' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against Jacksonville.
--- The Green Bay Packers have lost three games in a row, but injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers won't return this week to rescue the team. Rodgers is out with a broken collarbone.
"Scott Tolzien will start this week," Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said, regarding Sunday's game against Minnesota.
