Around the league
FIRST FEMALE OFFICIAL DEBUTS AS REPLACEMENT
DETROIT — Shannon Eastin became the first woman to be an official in a regular-season NFL game on Sunday. She was the line judge in the Rams-Lions game.
She is among the replacements the league hired while the regular officials are locked out. The league declined to make Eastin, 42, available for interviews last week or after the game.
The most notable mistake by replacement officials was letting the Seahawks have a fourth timeout in the second half against the Cardinals. Seattle had a player hurt and should have lost its final timeout. Referee Bob Hermansen announced to the crowd that because the clock had stopped on that play, no timeout was taken and the Seahawks had one left, which they used later.
Hermansen issued a postgame statement saying he had made a mistake.
BOUNTY PLAYERS BACK: Saints DE Will Smith, reinstated Friday after his bounty suspension was lifted by an NFL appeals panel, played against Washington. Smith, Saints LB Jonathan Vilma, Browns LB Scott Fujita and free agent Anthony Hargrove were suspended for their actions in the Saints' bounty scandal but a court overturned their bans. Fujita and Vilma sat out; both are coming off of injuries.
BEARS: Pro Bowl CB Charles Tillman (right leg) left in the first quarter.
BILLS: Former Florida WR David Nelson (knee) left and coach Chan Gailey said: "We don't know how bad David is, but it doesn't look good right now." RB Fred Jackson (right knee) left in the first half.
JETS: New Hall of Famer Curtis Martin had his No. 28 jersey retired, joining Joe Namath (No. 12), Don Maynard (13) and Joe Klecko (73) in that honor. … All-Pro CB Darrelle Revis left after being kicked in the head but profootballtalk.com reported he was okay.
PATRIOTS: Tom Brady became the 14th player with 40,000 yards passing. He has 40,215; Johnny Unitas (40,239) is 13th.
RAMS: OT Rodger Saffold had movement in his arms and legs after being carted off with a neck injury in the fourth quarter. He crumpled after disengaging from Lions S John Wendling on a St. Louis touchdown pass.
TEXANS: QB Matt Schaub signed a four-year contract extension for $62 million with $25 million guaranteed, cbssports.com reported.
TITANS: LB Colin McCarthy (right ankle), out of Clearwater Central Catholic and Miami, missed the second half and wore a walking boot on the sideline.
Times wires
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