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• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and chief assistant Troy Vincent were told by 11 former players Tuesday that the league must act immediately when someone is accused of domestic violence.
At a 3 ½-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. "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?" said Vincent, the NFL's vice president of football operations. "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.
Dwyer broke wife's nose in cheating spat
• Police say Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer broke his wife's nose during an argument that began after she learned about his recent phone contact with another woman.
Search-warrant records made public Tuesday say the July 21 argument came after Dwyer's wife came to believe he was cheating on her.
Dwyer was arrested last week after his wife alleged Dwyer assaulted her on July 21 and 22.
The arrest came as the NFL is under fire over a series of violent off-the-field encounters involving some players, including Ray Rice.
The day after his arrest, Dwyer was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list, meaning he won't play again this season.
Prosecutors filed aggravated assault and other charges against Dwyer. His lawyer, Jared Allen, didn't immediately return messages Tuesday afternoon.
Jets' Ryan says team has faith in Smith
• Rex Ryan fully supports a struggling Geno Smith, saying he's "our quarterback" and the New York Jets believe in him.
Smith had a rough night Monday in a 27-19 loss to the Chicago Bears, having one of his two interceptions returned for a touchdown and nearly having a few others picked off. The performance had some fans calling for the Jets to consider starting backup Michael Vick.
Ryan say the Jets are happy to have Vick, but the coach sounded on Tuesday as though he has no plans to make a switch at the position. Ryan highlighted Smith's poise and mental toughness and believes the second-year quarterback will improve.
Ryan also says defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson has a bruised knee, and the injury isn't serious.
The New York Jets have released cornerback Ellis Lankster, a special teams standout, and signed cornerback Brandon Smith to their practice squad.
Lankster was released by the Jets on Sept. 1, and then re-signed on Sept. 12. He had two tackles on special teams Monday night against Chicago. Lankster played the last three years with the Jets, after being a seventh-round pick by Buffalo in 2009.
Smith, a converted wide receiver, was most recently a member of Buffalo's practice squad last season. He signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State in 2011. Smith has also been with Green Bay. —
Week 4 schedule
Thursday
• N.Y. Giants at Washington, 6:25 p.m.
Sunday
11 a.m. games
• Green Bay at Chicago
• Buffalo at Houston,
• Tennessee at Indy
• Carolina at Baltimore
• Detroit at N.Y. Jets
• Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh
• Miami vs. Oakland at London
Afternoon games
• Jacksonville at San Diego, 2 p.m.
• Philadelphia at San Francisco, 2:25 p.m.
• Atlanta at Minnesota, 2:25 p.m.
• New Orleans at Dallas, 6:30 p.m.
Monday
• New England at Kansas City, 6:30 p.m.
Bye week
Arizona, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Seattle, St. Louis