The NFL on Sunday morning replaced a referee assigned to the New Orleans Saints-Carolina Panthers game after his Facebook page appeared to show him as an ardent Saints fan.
Brian Stropolo, who was set to work as the side judge Sunday in Charlotte, was pulled from the crew. He was replaced by an unidentified alternate referee who traveled with the officials.
The NFL is in the midst of a lockout with its referees. Stropolo was hired as a replacement referee prior to the preseason.
ESPN reported the NFL did not know of Stropolo’s allegiance to the Saints he was contacted by the network. Several photos on his Facebook page, on which is listed as an NFL referee, show him in Saints logos reportedly at an Aug. 25 New Orleans exhibition game as well as other Saints-related photos.
The NFL told ESPN.com that “an appearance of impropriety” warranted Sunday’s switch. The league did not say if Stropolo will call future NFL games.
His Facebook page was unavailable to the public as of Sunday morning.
—The NFL reportedly has sent a memo to its head coaches that warns them about bullying replacement referees.
The memo warns coaches against berating referees during games, despite the fact that the league has no evidence that an officials has changed a call to appease a coach, FOX Sports reported Sunday.
The league is in a labor dispute with its referees union and has used referees to officiate games since the preseason began last month.
Sports Illustrated reported that a replacement official last week picked up a penalty flag after a head coach yelled at him.
The report said that the actions of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh were one of the reasons for the memo. Also, Harbaugh has been fined for comments he made about officials during the preseason, FOX Sports reported.
—New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw left Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay in the second quarter because of a neck injury
He was not scheduled to return to the game, although the severity of the injury was not immediately known.
Bradshaw had five carries for 16 yards before sustaining the injury. He was taken to the locker room for X-rays but later returned to the sidelines.
Bradshaw was replaced by Andre Brown.
—Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert left Sunday’s 27-7 loss to the Houston Texans with a left leg injury in the fourth quarter.
Gabbert, who was replaced by Chad Henne, walked off the field under his own power. The injury did not appear to be serious but no official status report was provided.
Gabbert was just 7-for-19 for 53 yards, his lowest yardage total as a pro.
—Linebacker Vontaze Burfict was scheduled to start Sunday for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Burfict, a rookie from Arizona State, went undrafted in April. He reportedly fell from a spot in the high rounds to out of the draft because of discipline issues he faced in college.
Burfict, who played on special teams in the season opener last Sunday, will replace weakside linebacker Thomas Howard, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in practice last week.
— Wide receiver Austin Collie was listed as inactive for the Indianapolis Colts’ home opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Collie suffered his third career concussion during the preseason. He missed the season opener last week and was cleared to play last week.
However, Collie reportedly experienced more post-concussion symptoms late in the week.
Also, the Colts deactivated defensive lineman Dwight Freeney, who suffered a sprained ankle last week against the Chicago Bears.
—Running back Jonathan Steward and wide receiver Steve Smith were expected to play Sunday for the Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints.
Stewart missed the season-opener with an ankle injury he sustained during the preseason. Smith missed practices last week because knee soreness.