nfl notebook News & notes

Steelers: Wide receiver Hines Ward extended his apology to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to all of his teammates, saying he didn’t mean to create an unnecessary distraction. Ward called Roethlisberger on Monday to say he was sorry for questioning why the quarterback didn’t play in the Steelers’ 20-17 loss to Baltimore the night before. Ward said he wasn’t aware a team doctor advised Roethlisberger not to play because of lingering headaches resulting from a concussion. During a team meeting Wednesday, Ward apologized to the rest of the Steelers for his ill-chosen remarks made when he first learned the quarterback wouldn’t play. Roethlisberger says the two talked and put the misunderstanding behind them. In other news, special teams captain Anthony Madison has re-signed with the team, one day after being cut by the Indianapolis Colts. Madison played for Pittsburgh from 2006-08 before being cut during training camp. He played for the Browns and Colts earlier this season. The Steelers released former Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy, who signed with them last week.

Eagles: Brian Westbrook remains sidelined with a concussion and DeSean Jackson’s status for Philadelphia’s game at Atlanta is uncertain after he sustained a head injury. Westbrook will miss his third straight game after sustaining his second concussion in a three-week span on Nov. 15. The former All-Pro running back saw concussion specialists this week in Pittsburgh and will be re-examined in a week or two. Westbrook is expected to increase his exercise regimen. He experienced a headache working out last Friday. Jackson, the Eagles’ big-play wide receiver, was injured in a win over Washington last Sunday. Coach Andy Reid says Jackson is “making progress” recovering from his concussion and wouldn’t rule him out for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

Giants: Injuries at running back could leave the New York Giants short-handed for Sunday’s key NFC East matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Backups Ahmad Bradshaw and Danny Ware missed practice Wednesday and coach Tom Coughlin is uncertain about their status for the game. Bradshaw missed the loss at Denver on Thanksgiving night with left ankle and foot problems. Ware suffered a concussion against the Broncos. He also was sidelined for five weeks after dislocating his elbow on the opening kickoff in the season opener.

TV ratings: The New Orleans Saints’ win over the New England Patriots was the second-most-watched cable telecast of all time. The Saints’ 38-17 win to improve to 11-0 on “Monday Night Football” on ESPN was seen by 21.4 million viewers, second only to the 21.8 million for the Packers-Vikings game Oct. 5. The 15.0 rating was the second-highest in the network’s 30-year history, also second to that Green Bay-Minnesota game, which earned a 15.3. The game earned a combined 66.7 rating in New Orleans between the broadcast on ESPN and the simulcast on the local NBC affiliate.

Associated Press