NFL roundup \ News and notes

Colts: Cornerback Marlin Jackson will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee. The injury occurred during Thursday’s practice for the former Sharon High School and Michigan star. Jackson made 23 consecutive starts at cornerback before tearing the ACL and meniscus in his right knee during a no-contact practice in October 2008. He had missed the past three games with a strained ACL in his right knee. Jackson’s newest injury came a day after the Colts placed linebacker Tyjuan Hagler on injured reserve with a ruptured biceps.

Steelers: Ryan Clark may be saying everything he needs to say with his growing silence. The safety is usually one of the team’s most talkative players, but he is saying little as it becomes increasingly likely he won’t play Monday in Denver due to a rare blood condition that nearly caused him to die after playing there two years ago. Nearly all of Clark’s teammates are urging him to skip the game. The other Steelers safeties are being readied to play, and Clark does not appear as upbeat or as excited as he normally does before a game.

Raiders: The National Organization for Women says coach Tom Cable should be suspended while the team investigates allegations he has a history of violent behavior toward women. NOW president Terry O’Neill says in a statement that the Raiders are “properly” investigating charges made by Cable’s first wife, Sandy Cable, and former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, that the coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships. O’Neill says Cable’s admission to striking his first wife means he has not been the “role model” he should be. She says he should resign and seek help. Cable has acknowledged striking his first wife with an open hand more than 20 years ago and says that’s the only time he’s ever touched a woman inappropriately.

Rams: Marc Bulger has thrown just three touchdown passes and has a passer rating of 68.2. Don’t expect coach Steve Spagnuolo to change quarterbacks. He has been generally pleased with the 32-year-old quarterback. Bulger hasn’t had much help from his inexperienced crew of receivers. Laurent Robinson began the season as a favorite target but he’s out for the rest of 2009 with an injury. Donnie Avery is now the go-to guy, but he’s been hurt as well.

Lions: The ex-girlfriend of wide receiver Dennis Northcutt has dropped a lawsuit claiming he arranged his cousin to beat her up at a Hollywood restaurant while she was pregnant. Sharri Henry filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday asking that the lawsuit against Northcutt be dismissed. The papers did not reveal reasons why. The lawsuit claimed Northcutt arranged for his cousin to hit Henry in the face and disfigure her at the Falcon Club in Hollywood on May 17, 2008, while she was four months pregnant. She later gave birth to a boy. Northcutt joined the Lions this season after two seasons with the Jaguars and seven with the Browns.

Associated Press