nfl news and notes


Dallas Cowboys: Quarterback Tony Romo appeared to injure his back on the third play of Thursday’s preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks after getting pulled down from behind by Cliff Avril. Romo was forced from the pocket by a blitz from K.J. Wright. As Romo scrambled and was about to begin his slide, he was pulled down by Avril chasing in pursuit. Romo immediately grabbed at his back and was tended to by trainers for a few minutes before popping up and walking off the field without any assistance. While Dak Prescott took over, Romo spoke with medical personnel on the sideline for several minutes and he threw some passes. But when the Cowboys took the field for their second drive, Prescott remained at QB with Romo on the sideline.

New York Jets: Right tackle Breno Giacomini is still dealing with a lower-back injury that could keep him out of the team’s regular-season opener — and perhaps longer. Giacomini, entering his third season with the Jets, was injured during minicamp in June and has not practiced during training camp. Coach Todd Bowles says Thursday that he has “no idea” when Giacomini, who is on the physically unable to perform list, might be ready to play.

Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale have been splitting snaps at right tackle with the starting offense, but Bowles acknowledged that the Jets could also explore outside options. Giacomini says he’s at about “80 percent speed” and is progressing. He insists he will play this season, but is uncertain when he’ll be completely healthy.

New York Giants: A Miami federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by New York Giants lineman Jason Pierre-Paul against ESPN over disclosure of his medical records from a 2015 fireworks accident. Pierre-Paul attorney John Lukacs said Judge Marcia Cooke issued her ruling Thursday after a hearing on ESPN’s motion to dismiss. The case is set for an August 2017 trial. Pierre-Paul was hospitalized in Miami after the Fourth of July accident, which caused serious injury to his right hand. The lawsuit claims ESPN and a network reporter violated his privacy and Florida medical confidentiality laws by posting the records on social media. The network argued that the records merely bolstered a news report. An ESPN spokesman said the network does not comment on pending litigation. Pierre-Paul is listed as the Giants’ starting left defensive end.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins and Miami Marlins say they’ve intensified mosquito-control treatments at their stadiums because of the Zika virus. The Dolphins’ stadium is more than 10 miles from the nearest area of the virus outbreak. Even so, the Dolphins say they decided weeks ago to undertake additional treatments as a precaution. Construction workers are at the site daily completing the latest phase in a $500 million renovation. The first home preseason game is next Thursday against Tennessee. The Marlins and Miami-Dade County have stepped up spraying in and around Marlins Park “in an abundance of caution,” team president David Samson said Thursday. Treatments targeting the mosquito that transmits Zika are being used even though the Marlins play most of their home games indoors under a retractable roof. Marlins Park is about 2 miles from the nearest area of virus outbreak. Treatments at the 265-acre stadium site include the parking lot and follow recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention using chemicals approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Those treatments are expected to continue through the football season and beyond. Backpack foggers will be used every two weeks, with treatments timed for a few days before games. The Dolphins’ pest control provider also has removed standing water and treated larvae.

Associated Press