Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
SEATTLE ó The Seattle Seahawks took two steps to bolster their injured-depleted wide receivers by trading for Keary Colbert and reacquiring Koren Robinson on Tuesday.
Seattle agreed to a one-year contract with Robinson, its former No. 1 draft choice.
Robinson worked out for the Seahawks on Tuesday and convinced team president Tim Ruskell he has changed since Ruskell released him in the 2005 season because of repeated problems with alcohol.
The Seahawks have lost six wide receivers to injury this season. Robinson already is listed as No. 1 on Seattle’s depth chart at wide receiver for Sunday’s game against St. Louis, a matchup of winless teams.
STANDING BY THE REF
WYLIE, Texas ó Ed Hochuli received the support of the NFL Referees Association on Tuesday, two days after he botched a call at the end of the San Diego-Denver game that allowed the Broncos to keep possession and go on to score the winning points.
“No one feels worse about this than Ed, but like the coaches and players in our high-speed game, mistakes will occur,” NFLRA executive director Tim Millis said in a statement.
“The NFLRA stands by Ed Hochuli as a 19-year veteran with multiple Super Bowl and countless playoff game experience who has the integrity and character to admit a mistake and accept the criticism that comes with it.”
MARIO’S HOME
HOUSTON ó Mario Williams dodged downed trees to get out of his neighborhood and worried about the safety and security of his home as he left for practice with a tree splayed on one end of it.
He and the rest of the Houston Texans returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since Hurricane Ike, trying to concentrate on football when most didn’t have electricity and many were dealing with significant damage to their homes.
“I feel very lucky,” said Williams, the top overall pick in 2006. “My area is very bad. There’s tons of trees that are down, lots of trees that fell through houses, but thank goodness no one was injured.”
Williams said a tree crashed into his house during the storm, but he’s still living there despite the damage and lack of electricity.
PANTHERSCHARLOTTE ó The Carolina Panthers have released linebacker Donte Curry to make room for the return of receiver Steve Smith from his two-game suspension.
Smith had not counted against the 53-man roster while he served his unpaid suspension for breaking teammate Ken Lucas’ nose during training camp.
SUSPENDEDTAMPA, Fla. ó Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie cornerback Elbert Mack was suspended one game without pay by the NFL on Tuesday for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
STEELERSPITTSBURGH ó Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin clarified the status of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder: Sprained but not separated. The injury will not from playing on Sunday against Philadelphia.