5. Panthers’ Davis suspended

Carolina names COO to run team with owner exiting.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis has been suspended for two games by the NFL following his helmetto-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams. Davis was penalized 15 yards but not ejected.

Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis was suspended for two games following his helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, the NFL announced Monday.

Adams left Sunday’s game in the third quarter with a concussion after being blindsided by Davis following a Carolina interception. Davis was penalized 15 yards but not ejected.

Davis, the 2015 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, was visibly upset on the sideline after the play.

Davis can return to the roster Jan. 1 should the team qualify for the postseason. Carolina (10-4) can clinch a playoff spot Sunday with a win against Tampa Bay (4-9).

■ The Panthers said Tina Becker was promoted to chief operating officer and has been given full control of day-to-day management.

The move comes after the NFL launched an investigation into alleged sexual and racist misconduct by longtime owner Jerry Richardson. The 81-year-old is stepping away from the daily operation of the team and will focus on the pending sale of the franchise.

Team President Danny Morrison had resigned earlier in the year, and there was no COO before, or after, his resignation.

Becker began her career with the Panthers as a cheerleader and later became the squad’s coach. She has served in a variety of other management roles, including directing the organization’s business and administrative operations.

Jets: Receiver and punt returner Jeremy Kerley was waived after being on a oneweek roster exemption following a four-game suspension for violating NFL policy on performance enhancers.

■ Muhammad Wilkerson’s status with the team remained uncertain after the star defensive end was benched. Coach Todd Bowles said Wilkerson was at the Jets’ facility, but he would not say whether the 2011 first-round draft pick would practice or play this week.

Cowboys: Running back Ezekiel Elliott will return from suspension to a team still in the playoff hunt as Dan Bailey kicked the go-ahead 19-yard field goal, and Dallas survived a late drive by Oakland when Derek Carr fumbled just short of the end zone in a 20-17 victory Sunday night.

Raiders: Left tackle Donald Penn will have surgery on his right foot, ending a streak in which he has appeared in all 174 regular-season games since his debut as an undrafted free agent with Tampa Bay in 2007.

Chargers: Kicker Nick Rose was claimed off waivers from Washington, and Travis Coons was waived.

Broncos: Coach Vance Joseph said he hadn’t decided whether to name Brock Osweiler or Paxton Lynch starting quarterback.

Bengals: Coach Marvin Lewis, finishing his 15th season in Cincinnati amid speculation about his future, said hadn’t talked to owner Mike Brown about his contract, which ends after this season.

Colts: Center Ryan Kelly (concussion) and inside linebacker Jon Bostic (knee) went on injured reserve, and the team signed defensive tackle Caraun Reid and claimed guard Mark Glowinski off waivers from Seattle.

Cardinals: Coach Bruce Arians said Drew Stanton will return as quarterback after Blaine Gabbert went 2-3.

Browns: Quarterback DeShone Kizer will keep the job after upping his NFL-leading interception total to 19 with two more Sunday.