Jacksonville’s Coughlin defends Ramsey after fight

Jacksonville Jaguars executive Tom Coughlin is backing cornerback Jalen Ramsey, saying he “was playing football within the rules” when Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green attacked him Sunday.

Ramsey and Green were ejected late in the first half of Jacksonville’s 23-7 victory.

Referee Brad Allen said Ramsey was ejected for instigating the fight, and Green was tossed for throwing punches. Officials warned both players following verbal exchanges earlier in the game.

Coughlin took exception with Ramsey’s dismissal.

“Our players are instructed to not retaliate or get involved or do anything that would result in eviction because that would hurt the team,” Coughlin said in a statement Tuesday.

“Team comes first, and Jalen was trying to not hurt his team. While he did push his opponent — something that happened with other players during the game — he did not retaliate, he threw no punches, and he did not fight back.

“Jalen was doing what Coach (Doug) Marrone has instructed him to do, which is to play tough, be physical and to make every play difficult for his opponent. There was banter going back and forth during the game, but Jalen was playing football within the rules.”

The NFL said that Green would not be suspended for his actions. Ramsey and Green both could be fined for the fight.

Giants reinstate Jenkins: The New York Giants reinstated cornerback Janoris Jenkins from suspension.

Jenkins was suspended indefinitely last week for missing a workout Monday and not informing coach Ben McAdoo that he would be absent.

Jenkins has 24 tackles and an interception he returned 43 yards for a touchdown in the Giants’ win in Denver.

Texans sign QB: The Houston Texans signed free-agent quarterback Josh Johnson and released Matt McGloin.

The moves come a day after coach Bill O’Brien said they had discussed the possibility of adding Colin Kaepernick in the wake of a season-ending knee injury to rookie Deshaun Watson.

Instead of adding Kaepernick, the former 49ers quarterback who began the protest movement by kneeling during the national anthem last season, Houston chose Johnson to be its third quarterback.

The 31-year-old Johnson has been with the Giants, Bills, Colts and 49ers over the past three seasons but hasn’t appeared in a game since he played two for the Bengals in 2013.