Washington coach Rivera declared cancer-free

Washington coach Ron Rivera was declared cancer-free after a checkup Thursday.

Rivera, who announced on Aug. 20 that he had squamous cell cancer, tweeted thanks Thursday for the support he received during his treatment and recovery.

“Thank you everyone for your prayers, letters, texts& notes of encouragement& support. It truly made a difference in my treatment & recovery !# River a Strong @WashingtonNFL,” he wrote.

That social media post came after both his wife, Stephanie, and daughter, Courtney, took to social media earlier Thursday to announce that Rivera had defeated cancer.

PACKERS: Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga were fired Friday after the team's second straight NFC championship game loss last Sunday. Pettine had been the Packers' defensive coordinator for three seasons — taking over one year before head coach Matt LaFleur's arrival. Mennenga had been special teams coordinator for each of LaFleur's two seasons as head coach. The moves come after the Packers gave up a 39-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Scotty Miller with 1 second left in the first half of a 31-26 NFC championship game loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “It was man coverage, definitely not the right call for the situation,” LaFleur said after the game.

TEXANS: David Culley was introduced as Houston's coach on Friday in a news conference that was dominated by questions about the future of franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson. Before taking questions from reporters about Culley, general manager Nick Caserio, who was hired earlier this month, addressed the turmoil with Watson. “I just want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson,” Caserio said. “He's had a great impact on this organization, a great impact on a lot of people, great impact on this team. And we look forward the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring once we get started.”

SEAHAWKS: Seattle hired Shane Waldron as its new offensive coordinator, the first time in his career he'll be responsible for running an offense and calling plays. Waldron's hiring was announced Friday, more than two weeks after the Seahawks fired Brian Schottenheimer. Waldron, 41, spent the past four seasons as the passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.