NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Steelers: Wide receiver Santonio Holmes won’t be punished further for being charged last week with a marijuana-related offense and plan to start him Monday night in Washington. Holmes, who led the NFL in yards-per-catch last season, was benched for the Steelers’ 21-14 loss Sunday to the New York Giants and was not in uniform. He was allowed to return to the team after speaking to his teammates and issuing a public apology Monday. The NFL could punish Holmes once his case is resolved, but coach Mike Tomlin said there will be no additional action taken by the team. Tomlin did not say if Holmes was fined, although he likely was. Holmes, a third-year player out of Ohio State, was charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of a small amount of marijuana following a police stop Thursday. Holmes has a preliminary hearing before a Pittsburgh district judge on Nov. 24.

Seahawks: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said Tuesday a doctor has not cleared him to play because of a leg problem stemming from bulging disk in his back. Hasselbeck told KIRO Radio he does not need surgery. He said he failed tests in Los Angeles and was unable to walk on his heels. He says there’s no pain in his back or right leg, just a “dead leg” feeling. “Just got a weakness in my leg,” he said. “Because of the disk issue in my back that nerve is shutting off the muscles that are supposed to work in your leg.” He plans to keep working on strength and conditioning and is confident he’ll get better.

Chargers: Without a sack or interception in the last nine quarters, San Diego on Tuesday fired defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and replaced him with inside linebackers coach Ron Rivera. Cottrell had become a popular target of fan ire as the Chargers (3-5) lost three of their last four games, including a 37-32 loss to former teammate Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in London on Sunday. That game was indicative of the Chargers’ defensive shortcomings, with no pressure on the quarterback and a lot of passing yards.

Falcons: Rookie lineman Sam Baker will visit a pair of specialists after an injured hip failed to improve with treatment. Baker, a first-round pick who had been starting at left tackle, will not play in Sunday’s game at Oakland and it’s not known when he might return, coach Mike Smith said.

Saints: Offensive guard Jamar Nesbit filed suit Tuesday against the maker of a weight-loss supplement, alleging it was improperly spiked with a diuretic that is banned by the NFL. The lawsuit against the makers of StarCaps, an over-the-counter product, was filed in federal district court in New Jersey, said Nesbit’s attorney Brian Molloy.

Pro Hall candidates: Defensive end Bruce Smith, defensive back Rod Woodson and tight end Shannon Sharpe are among first-year candidates for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The list includes 110 players, seven coaches and 16 contributors, including former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and longtime team owners Bud Adams, Jerry Jones, Art Modell and Ralph Wilson.

Associated Press