Ex-Players Tell Goodell To Bench Alleged Violators – NFL Roundup

NEW YORK (AP)— NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL') and chief assistant Troy Vincent were told by 11 former players that the league must act immediately when someone is accused of domestic violence.

At a 3 1/2-hour meeting to discuss ways to improve the league's personal conduct policy, the former players also said teams must be held accountable when players misbehave.

Vincent, the NFL's vice president of football operations says, "One question asked around the room was, when an arrest occurs, do you take them off the field or let them play and let the due process take care of itself?" Vincent says, "To a man, they said, 'Take them off the field, pay them, and let due process take care of itself.'"

At the meeting were Hall of Famer Mike Singletary, plus Matt Birk, Eddie Mason, Patrick Kerney, Willie McGinest, Roman Oben, Marty Lyons, Charles Way, Tony Paige, Scott Turner and Robert Porcher. More weekly meetings are planned among league officials and former players, current players and team owners.

The NFL has faced heavy criticism of its personal conduct policy after incidents this year involving Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Greg Hardy, Ray McDonald and Jonathan Dwyer.

PHOENIX (AP) — Police say Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer broke his wife's nose with a head-butt during an argument that began after she learned about his recent phone contact with another woman.

That's according to search-warrant records made public Tuesday. The police say the July 21 argument came after Dwyer's wife came to believe her husband was cheating. Dwyer was arrested last week after his wife told police her husband assaulted her on July 21 and 22 at their Phoenix apartment.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — So much for James Harrison's retirement. The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing back the volatile five-time Pro Bowler to add a veteran presence to a depleted linebacker group.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the 36-year-old Harrison about the "climate change" around domestic violence before re-signing him.

Harrison was arrested in 2008 on assault and criminal mischief charges following an altercation with his then-girlfriend. The charges were dropped after Harrison completed anger management classes. He was not suspended by the team.

The Steelers need pass rushing help after losing linebackers Ryan Shazier and Jarvis Jones to injury in Sunday night's win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers All-Pro fullback Mike Tolbert will miss at least eight games with a hairline fracture in his left leg. The bruising fullback was injured on a tackle involving ex-Panthers safety Mike Mitchell in Carolina's 37-19 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Tolbert was placed on the injured reserve/designated to return list. Under that designation, Tolbert can practice after six weeks, but isn't eligible to play until Nov. 30 at Minnesota.