NFL: Goodell firm on Roethlisberger penalty

LATROBE, Pa. - Ben Roethlisberger got a thumb's up from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and praise for the way he's reshaping his life. What's missing for now is a reduction of his six-game suspension.

Goodell met with Roethlisberger while visiting the Steelers' training camp on Thursday. But, while saying the quarterback is going beyond what the league is mandating, he didn't cut his suspension for bad behavior to four games.

The NFL will continue to monitor Roethlisberger's progress before he and Goodell meet in New York later this month and the commissioner makes a final decision on how long the Steelers star will be out. A reduction would allow Roethlisberger to play Oct. 17 at home against Cleveland rather than Oct. 31 at New Orleans.

"I'm very encouraged by what he's doing," Goodell said. "I'll take the period of time that I have before making the decision and make it probably right before the regular season."

Roethlisberger was not charged but was disciplined by Goodell for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.

"I think he's doing great," Goodell said. "I had a chance to chat with him ... and I'm very encouraged by what I'm seeing. I think he's understanding the seriousness of the issue and is working to improve and to make better decisions. I think that's a very positive development."

Goodell again said Roethlisberger was going "above and beyond" what the league was asking.

Broncos: NFL sacks king Elvis Dumervil might miss the season with a torn chest muscle.

A person familiar with the injury to Dumervil told the Associated Press the pass rusher has torn his pectoral muscle and could be sidelined up to five months.

Seahawks: Once promising Colts defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock has resurfaced with the Seahawks, two years after he stunned Indianapolis by abruptly retiring at age 24. Seattle signed Pitcock on Thursday morning to a free-agent contract.

Bengals. Receiver Antonio Bryant won't play in the Cincinnati Bengals' preseason opener because of his bad knee. Receiver Terrell Owens and cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones are expected to make their Bengals debuts against the Cowboys in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday.

Packers. Green Bay Packers safety Atari Bigby will have surgery on his troublesome left ankle on Friday and hopes to heal within a month.

Texans. All-pro wide receiver Andre Johnson signed a two-year extension on Thursday that will keep him in Houston through the 2016 season.

The Houston Chronicle reported that Johnson's extension had a maximum value of $38.5 million, including $13 million guaranteed.

Johnson has led the league in receiving yards the last two seasons and topped 100 catches in three of the last four. He has the NFL's highest receiving yards average (90.2 per game) since 2006.