Jerry Jones: Jason Garrett's job is safe

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys have blown five fourth-quarter leads, the coach was criticized for his late-game management leading to a loss at Arizona, there have been issues with the secondary and fourth-quarter penalties, but coach Jason Garrett's job status isn't a concern.

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones was asked if the rookie head coach is in danger of losing his job.

"Well, that's not a question that's in my mind, kinda worth responding to," Jones said Tuesday morning on KRLD-FM. "But the answer is no and we're just getting started here."

Jones does like what Garrett has done around Valley Ranch.

James Harrison suspended 1 game

The NFL suspended Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison one game without pay for his helmet-to-helmet hit Thursday night on Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy.

Harrison is expected to miss Monday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers, though he has appealed the suspension, his agent told The Associated Press.

Harrison's agent Bill Parise said Tuesday afternoon that he expects the appeal to be heard later this week by Art Shell or Ted Cottrell, jointly appointed by the NFL and the players' association to hear such cases.

Patrick Willis has Grade II strain

An MRI exam revealed that four-time San Francisco Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis has a Grade II hamstring strain and "could miss a little time," a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Willis' status for Sunday's game at Arizona is unclear, but the source told Schefter that the injury will heal on its own.

Coach Jim Harbaugh said he didn't know the severity of Willis' injury or whether it could sideline him for NFC West champion San Francisco (10-2), which clinched its first division title and playoff berth since 2002 with a 26-0 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

Andy Reid defends DeSean Jackson

Eagles coach Andy Reid continued to defend DeSean Jackson on Friday, a day after the receiver was showcased sitting alone during a 31-14 loss at Seattle in which he was limited to four catches for 34 yards.


"You can take a camera and make it look any way you want to make it look," Reid said at a news conference, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. "I am telling you, that kid was all in last night and wanted to win that game as much as anybody."

After the game, Jackson was peppered with questions about whether he was refusing to talk with teammates during the loss. Reid had also been asked if his team was even invested at this point of the season and if Jackson was essentially a decoy.

But Reid was emphatic Friday.

"There was nothing on the sidelines, no commotion with him and Vince," Reid said, referring to quarterback Vince Young. "There is nothing there. Nothing."

The game's telecast on the NFL Network also showed a sideline shot of Young talking to Jackson, who appeared to be uninterested in the conversation.

McNabb becomes free agent

Donovan McNabb went unclaimed on waivers, meaning the former Minnesota Vikings quarterback is free to sign with any team.


The Vikings waived the 13-year veteran quarterback on Thursday, giving him the opportunity to sign with another team for the stretch run in a parting coach Leslie Frazier described as mutual.


The Vikings filled McNabb's vacant roster spot by claiming quarterback Sage Rosenfels off waivers from the Dolphins.


I wonder what team will decide to pick up good ole Donovan.