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League: TD should not have counted

 
Published Nov. 6, 2012

ASHBURN, Va. — The NFL said Monday that a 30-yard touchdown run by Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams on Sunday against the Redskins should not have counted because of an inadvertent whistle.

The league said the Panthers should have had the ball at the 17-yard line — where line judge Thomas Symonette blew his whistle because he mistakenly thought Williams had stepped out of bounds. Under the rules, Carolina also could have chosen to replay the down at the 30.

Redskins linebacker Perry Riley said he stopped pursuing the play because he heard the whistle. Referee Carl Cheffers said after the game that the officials decided the whistle wasn't blown until Williams reached the end zone and that it didn't affect the outcome. An inadvertent whistle is not reviewable by replay.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said the NFL had no choice but to acknowledge the error: "I didn't know it was that bad until I looked at the film," he said. "That was an obvious mistake."

CRENNEL REDUCES DUTIES: Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel relieved himself of duties as defensive coordinator. He had juggled head coaching and coordinator duties since taking over when Todd Haley was fired in December. Gary Gibbs will take over as defensive coordinator. The team also waived cornerback Stanford Routt and signed defensive tackle Shaun Smith.

GOOD NEWS FOR PAGANO: The doctor of Colts coach Chuck Pagano says his leukemia is in remission. Dr. Larry Cripe said Pagano's white blood cell count was normal and his bone marrow showed no indication of the disease. Earlier, interim coach Bruce Arians said the Colts hoped to have Pagano on the sideline for their regular-season finale Dec. 30. Pagano was diagnosed Sept. 26 and has undergone chemotherapy. He gave the team an emotional postgame speech after Sunday's win over Miami.

BRONCOS: Starting guard Chris Kuper has a severe ankle sprain, the Denver Post reported, and his status was unknown.

EAGLES: Defensive lineman Darryl Tapp sat out Monday's game against the Saints because he was with his wife, who was due to deliver the couple's first child.

JAGUARS: Running back Maurice Jones-Drew will miss Thursday night's game against Indianapolis. He's still wearing a walking boot on his sprained left foot.

JETS: Coach Rex Ryan and several of his players are among thousands of New Jersey residents still without power in their homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Ryan said he recognizes he is in the same situation as many others in the area recovering from the hurricane.

RAIDERS: Running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson both have high ankle sprains that leave their status in doubt. Both were hurt against the Bucs.

VIKINGS: Receiver/returner Percy Harvin was on crutches after injuring his ankle and the former Florida star said he was likely to miss at least one game.