Former AG to hear appeal by the NFL

Roger Goodell chose former New Jersey Atty. Gen. Peter C. Harvey to hear the appeal of the six-game suspension for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson was suspended this week by independent disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, who concluded he violated the league’s personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual misconduct by two dozen women in Texas.

The league, which had been pushing for an indefinite suspension for Watson, wanted further discipline and appealed Robinson’s ruling Wednesday.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, the appeal gave the power back to Goodell to enact punishment, but he instead chose Harvey to hear the appeal.

U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni made it likely she’ll rule in weeks rather than months whether Goodell gets to decide the merits of racial discrimination claims made by Black coaches against the league and its teams, saying an effort to gather more evidence seems like “an impermissible fishing expedition.”

Baltimore linebacker Vince Biegel left practice because of a torn Achilles tendon, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said . ... The Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Bowl receiver Diontae Johnson

agreed to a three-year deal that runs through the 2024 season . ... The Denver Broncos signed free-agent receiver Darrius Shepherd,

who takes the roster spot that opened when the Broncos’ leading receiver, Tim Patrick, was put on injured reserve Wednesday because of a season-ending torn right ACL . ... Josh Jacobs, rookie Zamir White and Austin Walter ran well on a rainsoaked field and the Las Vegas Raiders routed Jacksonville 27-11 in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, spoiling coach Doug Pederson’s first game with the Jaguars. The victory was a successful debut for Raiders coach