Former FBI Director To Conduct Probe Into NFL – NFL Roundup

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL says former FBI director Robert Mueller (MUH'-lur) will conduct a probe into how the NFL handled evidence as it investigated domestic violence claims against former Ravens running back Ray Rice.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello (eye-EHL'-oh) says the investigation will be overseen by NFL owners John Mara of the New York Giants and Art Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL') says Mueller will have access to all NFL records.

The NFL's announcement came after a law enforcement official told the AP on condition of anonymity that he sent a tape of Rice striking his then-fiancee to an NFL executive in April. Goodell has maintained that no one at the league had seen the tape prior to Monday, when it went viral online.

UNDATED (AP) — The National Organization for Women has called for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL') to resign in the wake of the Ray Rice domestic violence incident, saying the league has "a violence-against-women" problem.

Politicians are also getting in on the act. Twelve Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have sent a letter to Goodell questioning his handling of the Rice incident.

On the Senate side, at least one Democrat says NFL Commissioner should resign. Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal said, "If these reports are true, Commissioner Goodell must go for the good of the NFL and its fans." He says "the current leadership of the NFL cannot be trusted to fairly, genuinely implement policies that address domestic violence."

Goodell has sent a memo to the 32 NFL teams reiterating that the league sought, but did not see, the video of Rice punching his then fiancee until Monday.

Goodell was supposed to attend an award ceremony for Panthers owner Jerry Richardson in Charlotte Wednesday night. But Goodell did not attend the event and instead changed his plans and headed back to New York.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have suspended veteran broadcaster Ted Robinson for two games following comments this week to a San Francisco radio station about the Ray Rice domestic violence case that were deemed insensitive.

The Pac-12 Networks also announced it had suspended Robinson for the next two weeks and that he would undergo sensitivity training.

The 57-year-old Robinson spoke to KNBR radio Monday and said Rice's now-wife, Janay, was partly to blame for not speaking up. Robinson issued apologies through the 49ers and Pac-12 Networks.

UNDATED (AP) — Cam Newton returned to Panthers practice Wednesday, throwing the football with good velocity. The Carolina quarterback threw wearing a thick flak jacket to protect his injured ribs. Coach Ron Rivera said Monday he expected Newton to start against the Detroit Lions on Sunday after missing the season opener at Tampa Bay.

Elsewhere around the NFL;

— St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long will undergo surgery and is out indefinitely with a left leg injury sustained in the opening loss to the Vikings. Coach Jeff Fisher says will be placed on the injured reserve-designated to return list, which would sideline him at least six weeks.

— Browns starting running back Ben Tate will miss Sunday's game against New Orleans with a sprained knee. He suffered the injury in the season-opening loss to Pittsburgh. Rookie Terrance West is expected to start in Tate's place.

— The Bengals have placed tight end Tyler Eifert on the short-term injured reserve list with a chance to return at midseason from an elbow injury. Eifert hurt his right elbow during Sunday's win at Baltimore. He'll miss practice for six weeks while the elbow heals.

— San Diego has lost veteran center Nick Hardwick for the season with a recurring neck stinger. Hardwick left Monday night's loss at Arizona with a sprained ankle. There was no word at that time about a neck injury. He's been the Chargers starter since his rookie year in 2004.

— Outside linebacker Jonathan Abraham has left the Arizona Cardinals and is considering retiring after 16 seasons in the NFL. The 36-year-old Abraham sustained a concussion in Monday night's victory over San Diego. Abraham ranks ninth on the NFL's career sacks list with 133½.