NFL roundup: Steelers' Tomlin could face six-figure fine
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin could be fined at least $100,000 and the team could lose a draft pick as a result of Tomlin interfering with a play by stepping on the field, according to multiple reports.
The play occurred in the third quarter of Thursday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens. After Pittsburgh scored to close to 13-7, Baltimore returner Jacoby Jones broke free down the sideline on the ensuing kickoff but slowed up with Tomlin on the white stripe near the field of play -- with his foot on the field at one point as Jones neared his location.
Tomlin, who had his back to the play, was not penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. He said he did not think he interfered with Jones.
The NFL fined the New York Jets $100,000 in 2010 when strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi tripped a Miami Dolphins player running down the sideline.
Tomlin is on the league's competition committee, which helps make new rules.
---Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin wanted to release offensive guard Richie Incognito after he was accused of harassing a female volunteer at the team's charity golf tournament in May 2012, ESPN reported.
Philbin's request was revealed during recent interviews by independent investigator Ted Wells, who is examining the Dolphins' locker room culture stemming from the team's bullying scandal. Offensive tackle Jonathan Martin left the team Oct. 28, claiming he was harassed by Incognito and other teammates.
Philbin, who was hired in January 2012, told others in the organization after the golf outing that he wanted Incognito off the team, sources told ESPN. However, Philbin was overruled by the team's front office.
-- San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley left Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter with a knee injury.
The 49ers announced Staley would not return to the game, although there was no immediate report on the precise nature of the injury.
Staley, who was named to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons, suffered the injury when he was hit low from the side.
---New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith was frustrated and disappointed standing in front of his locker taking questions after being benched in favor of backup Matt Simms in Sunday's 23-3 landslide loss to the Miami Dolphins.
"(I am) just frustrated that we couldn't come out with the victory," said Smith, the Jets' starter in all 12 games this season. "I don't have anything to say about anything else other than the fact that we didn't get it done today on offense or as a team. We couldn't get a victory and that's very frustrating for me as a quarterback."
Smith was 4-of-10 with an interception when he was yanked.