Reports: Browns off hook

THE CLEVELAND Browns will not be disciplined by the NFL for their handling of quarterback Colt McCoy's concussion, according to reports.

McCoy suffered a concussion when he sustained a helmet-on- helmet hit by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison in a loss to the Steelers on Dec. 8.

McCoy wasn't tested for a concussion after the hit and re-entered the game after missing just two plays.

On Tuesday, the NFL decreed that a certified trainer will be placed in the press box at every game to help monitor head injuries.

Harrison was given a one-game suspension for the hit by the league. Yesterday, he practiced for the first time since the suspension and make it clear that he thought the Browns should have also been disciplined.

"If he was hurt so bad I don't know why they let him back in . . . two plays later," Harrison said. "Something should be done to them, I would think. I don't know. I got a game, what should they get?"

McCoy hasn't practiced since the hit.

Harrison, the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, said he doesn't think he needs to change the way he plays to avoid further disciplinary action.

"I'm doing everything they ask me to do," Harrison said. "I've lowered my target area, that's it."

Santonio Holmes said the New York Jets could be in for a big day against the Giants' secondary on Saturday. The Jets' wide receiver said the Giants' defensive backs have "given up big plays" and "are poor tackling guys."

* Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt would not reveal who would be his starting quarterback against Cincinnati Saturday.

John Skelton started in place of Kevin Kolb last weekend in an overtime win over Cleveland. Kolb is recovering from a concussion and Whisenhunt, when asked if Kolb would start against the Bengals, said, "We'll see."

* A person with knowledge of the payout said the NFL Players Association has given executive director DeMaurice Smith a $1 million bonus. The bonus was paid solely at the discretion of the union, the person said on condition of anonymity because the payment was not announced. Smith was hired in March 2009 to replace the late Gene Upshaw.

* St. Louis rookie wide receiver Austin Pettis was suspended for four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Pettis, a third-round pick out of Boise State, will be eligible to return after the Rams' second game next season.

* Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was voted the 2011 Male Athlete of the Year by members of the Associated Press. He was selected because of his MVP performance in the Packers' Super Bowl victory in February and his stellar play this season. He received 112 votes out of the 212 ballots. Detroit pitcher Justin Verlander finished second with 50 votes.

Rodgers was also the top vote-getter - at any position - in the fan balloting for the Pro Bowl. Fans account for one-third of the total voting; players and coaches, who account for the remaining two-thirds, are choosing today and tomorrow.