Wednesday around the NFL

Wednesday around the NFL

Arizona Cardinals: Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer, 25, was arrested Wednesday on aggravated assault charges in connection with two altercations at his home in July involving a woman and their 18-month-old child, the latest in a string of such cases involving NFL players.

The Cardinals said they became aware of the situation on Wednesday and are cooperating with the investigation. Dwyer has been deactivated from all team activities. The NFL said the case will be reviewed under the league’s personal-conduct policy.

One of the counts was “aggravated assault causing a fracture” involving the 27-year-old victim, whom they did not identify. Police said they were carrying out a search warrant of his residence in pursuit of more evidence.

Baltimore Ravens: Just when the Baltimore Ravens appeared poised for a return to normalcy, Joe Flacco missed practice Wednesday with an unspecified illness.

The durable quarterback is expected to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, but his absence was unusual and completely out of character.

Flacco hasn’t missed a start since launching his career during the first week of his rookie season in 2008. He has played in 98 straight games.

It was also the first time in recent memory he missed a practice.

“It was weird,” defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said. “(Terrell Suggs) and I were thinking, we’ve never been in a practice without Joe Flacco being out there. Whatever’s going on, hopefully all the best for him.”

Coach John Harbaugh, who recently adopted a steadfast stance against talking about injuries, refused to give any insight into Flacco’s absence.

Asked what happened to Flacco, Harbaugh said, “I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him. This is my answer for the year. You’re going to keep asking, I’m going to give you the same answer. There will be an injury report later, though.”

The injury report showed Flacco did not participate in practice because of “illness.”

A team spokesman said the quarterback could return as soon as Thursday.

Drug testing: The NFL finally will have HGH testing, perhaps as early as the end of this month.

And of more immediate impact — this weekend — the new performance-enhancing drug policy the league and players’ union agreed to Wednesday will allow the Broncos’ Wes Welker and two other suspended players to return to the field.

Welker, Dallas Cowboys defensive back Orlando Scandrick and St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey had been suspended for four games. All can return Sunday under the new rules in which players who test positive for banned stimulants in the offseason will no longer be suspended. Instead, they will be referred to the substance abuse program.

Players who test positive for banned stimulants during the season will continue to get four-game suspensions.

New York Jets: Wide receiver Eric Decker sat out practice Wednesday, leaving his status uncertain for the game Monday night at MetLife Stadium. Decker tweaked his right hamstring during the third quarter of the Jets’ 31-24 loss at Green Bay, aggravating an injury he dealt with during training camp.

“I would love to play, so I’m just making sure that we take the right steps,” Decker said. “Don’t do too much, but do enough to feel it out and make a decision once that day rolls around.”

Decker said he didn’t need to go for an MRI exam and there is no tear in the hamstring.

“I just have to do a better job of listening to my body,” he said. “With hamstrings, I have to make sure my glutes are good, my quads are good, everything around the hamstring muscle is good to go. That’s on me as far as listening to my body and doing the correct things.”

Decker, who signed with the Jets in the offseason, leads the team with nine catches for 137 yards and a touchdown.

Top cornerback Dee Milliner’s status also is in question after he made his season debut against the Packers. He dealt with a high ankle sprain for most of training camp and sat out the season opener against Oakland.

The left ankle stiffened up on him late in the game Sunday, and he removed himself after Jordy Nelson’s 80-yard touchdown catch late in the third quarter.

“I’ve been doing good,” Milliner said. “I’m still doing my rehab, progressing day in and day out.”

Associated Press