NFL: Sideline antics by Jets' staff prompt review

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said by e-mail on Tuesday that Ray Anderson, the league's football-operations executive, is "reviewing sideline protocols from a league-wide perspective."

The review comes in the wake of an incident in Sunday's Jets-Dolphins game, where New York assistant Sal Alosi tripped a Miami player sprinting downfield on punt coverage.

In a statement issued Monday by the Jets, special-teams coach Mike Westhoff denied he instructed anyone to stand along the sideline to obstruct the opposition.

"No. 1, I did not instruct anyone," said Westhoff, whose team plays at Pittsburgh on Sunday. "No. 2, I was not aware. With all of the people on the sidelines, it would be inconsequential and I would not be involved in any way, shape or form."

The questions arose because five Jets assistants appeared to stand in a human wall along the sideline.

Vikings to play outdoors. The roof of the Metrodome in Minneapolis won't be repaired in time for the visit of the Chicago Bears in six days, forcing the Minnesota Vikings to host the game at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.

The announcement was made in an e-mail from the Metrodome owner, the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.

Scott Ellison, assistant athletic director for facilities at the University of Minnesota, said workers began removing snow from the outdoor stadium on Tuesday morning. Ellison said the Vikings have agreed to pick up all costs for snow removal, as well as game-day expenses.

Serious consequences. Thom Mayer, medical director for the NFL Players Association, said there could be about a quarter of a million more snaps - and therefore more collisions and more injuries - if the league moves to an 18-game regular season.

Mayer spoke at Tuesday's meeting of the union's Mackey-White Traumatic Brain Injury Committee in Washington.

Retirees lose in court. A federal judge in San Francisco tossed out a lawsuit by several retired NFL players who are dissatisfied with a $26 million settlement between the NFLPA and about 2,000 retirees.

Miami signs Curtis. The Dolphins placed tackle Vernon Carey (knee) on injured reserve and signed former Eagles' receiver Kevin Curtis.

Curtis played in only three games last year because of a left knee injury and hasn't played this season while recovering from a bout with testicular cancer. The eight-year veteran has 252 career receptions, 20 for touchdowns.

Skins cut holder. The Redskins cut Hunter Smith, the holder who mishandled an extra point attempt in the 17-16 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Sam Paulescu was signed to take over as both punter and holder.

Injury report. Tampa Bay placed defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (torn left bicep) and linebacker Quincy Black (broken left forearm) on injured reserve. . . . Steelers tight end Heath Miller passed his post-concussion neurological tests and returned to practice Wednesday. Miller sustained the concussion Dec. 5 on a hit by Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain. . . .

Tennessee placed starting center Eugene Amano on injured reserve because of a neck injury. Fernando Velasco likely will replace him the rest of the season. . . . Buffalo placed receiver Lee Evans on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday, two days after sustaining a sprained ankle in Buffalo's win over Cleveland. The Bills also placed tight end Shawn Nelson on the Reserve, Non-Football Injury/Illness list because of migraine headaches. . . .

Seattle placed wide receiver Deon Butler, the former Penn State star, on injured reserve with a broken right leg and signed offensive lineman Paul Fanaika off the Cleveland Browns' practice squad. Fanaika was a seventh-round pick of the Eagles in 2009.

Jurisprudence. Rookie cornerback Perrish Cox of the Denver Broncos could face up to life in prison if convicted of sexual assault charges filed by prosecutors last week. The charges are Class 3 and Class 4 felonies, which carry a sentence of two years to life because they involve a helpless victim.