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As was the case for most of the season, the Seattle Seahawks will be without receiver Percy Harvin for the NFC championship game.
Seattle coach Pete Carroll said after practice Friday that Harvin had not cleared league-mandated protocols for concussion testing and would not play Sunday against San Francisco. Harvin suffered a concussion in last week's playoff win over New Orleans and did not practice all week. Harvin's loss subtracts a significant playmaker from Seattle's offense heading into the game against the 49ers.
"It's super disappointing for Percy," Carroll said. "He wants to play. You can see it. He played his tail off when he had his chance. Just unfortunate circumstances."
Harvin suffered the concussion late in the first half while jumping for a pass in the end zone and hitting his head on the turf as he was hit by New Orleans safety Malcolm Jenkins. It was the second big hit Harvin absorbed in the game. He was belted by Rafael Bush on Seattle's opening possession, a hit that drew a 15-yard penalty. The league fined Bush $21,000 on Friday for the hit.
Titans hire Michael for offense
Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt has hired Chargers assistant Jason Michael to be Tennessee's new offensive coordinator as he continues to fill out his coaching staff.
Whisenhunt, who was hired Monday, plans to call the plays offensively. But he said that Michael really impressed him with his knowledge of the run and pass games and that the coach was a big part of putting together plans in San Diego this season.
Michael, 35, worked this past season with Whisenhunt in San Diego. Michael spent the past three seasons coaching tight ends for the Chargers.
Browns receiver Bess arrested
Browns and former Dolphins receiver Davone Bess was arrested Friday on charges of assaulting a law enforcement officer at an airport, the latest in a series of personal problems for the NFL player.
Bess was approached by deputy Thomas O'Brien inside the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport terminal because he was "acting irrationally, dancing, singing with his pants repeatedly falling down."
Around the league
Lions • Detroit hired Teryl Austin as its new defensive coordinator. Austin spent the past three seasons as the defensive backs coach in Baltimore, where the staff included new Lions coach Jim Caldwell the past two seasons.
Washington • Jim Haslett will remain with Washington as defensive coordinator, the latest in a series of expected moves under new coach Jay Gruden.
Packers • After a season of defensive struggles, outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene is leaving the team to spend more time with his wife and children.