LITTLE ROCK — PANTHERS Special teams coach fired
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Carolina Panthers special teams coordinator Brian Murphy on Monday became the latest casualty of Carolina’s disappointing season.
Coach Ron Rivera announced the Panthers (2-7) fired Murphy one day after Carolina surrendered a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown to Trindon Holliday in Sunday’s 36-14 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Rivera said he has promoted assistant special teams coach Richard Rodgers to coordinator. Rodgers, in his first season in Carolina, was a college teammate of Rivera’s at Cal.
Rivera said the decision was made because of “philosophical differences and productivity.”
Earlier this year, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson fired General Manager Marty Hurney after the team lost its fifth consecutive game. Hurney has yet to be replaced, but the team has hired former New York Giants GM Ernie Accorsi to serve as a consultant to lead the search for Hurney’s replacement.
PACKERS Bulaga goes on IR
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers have lost another player despite having the weekend off, placing offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga on the injured list.
Bulaga started the first nine games this year and injured his hip Nov. 4 against Arizona. He joins 11 other players who were starters or projected starters who have been hurt this year, missing a total of 40 games.
The Packers used Bulaga’s spot on the active roster Monday to sign linebacker Vic So’oto. So’oto played in seven games with the Packers last year and was with the Oakland Raiders for four games this season.
COWBOYS
Coleman out for year
IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kenyon Coleman is out for the season with a torn triceps muscle in his left arm.
Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett said Monday that Coleman will be placed on injured reserve and have surgery.
The 11th-year pro sustained the injury during the third quarter of Sunday’s 38-23 victory at Philadelphia.
Coleman started seven games this season, missing two with a knee injury. The 33-year-old could become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Defensive end Sean Lissemore could return this week after missing most of the past five games with a high ankle sprain.
CHIEFS Dorsey put on IR
PITTSBURGH - The Kansas City Chiefs have placed defensive end Glenn Dorsey on injured reserve with a calf injury.
Dorsey played in just four games this season. He injured his left calf in practice in September and missed four games, then injured his right calf during a 31-13 loss to San Diego on Nov. 1. The former first-round draft pick finishes the season with seven tackles and no sacks.
STEELERS Ta’amu released
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Steelers have parted ways with troubled rookie nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu.
Ta’amu was chosen by the Steelers in the fourth round of the NFL Draft but has yet to play in a game. He was suspended two weeks without pay last month following a run-in with police in the city’s South Side neighborhood that resulted in more than a dozen charges, including multiple felonies.
Ta’amu was reinstated Oct. 30 but remained on the inactive list. He pleaded innocent to all charges during a court date last week and apologized for his actions while expressing hope he would remain with the team.
LIONS Smith waived
ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The Detroit Lions have released cornerback Alphonso Smith.
Smith returned to the Lions last month at a time when they were desperate for help in a banged-up secondary. He played four games for Detroit this season.
Smith also played for the Lions in 2010 and 2011, starting 10 games in 2010.
Detroit Coach Jim Schwartz indicated Monday that defensive back Drayton Florence has been cleared to return from a broken arm. Florence hasn’t played since Sept. 16.
Sports, Pages 20 on 11/13/2012