SHAZIER HAS SURGERY TO STABILIZE SPINE

PITTSBURGH» Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier underwent surgery Wednesday night to stabilize his spine.

The team announced Thursday that Drs. David Okonkwo and Joseph Maroon performed the surgery after Shazier was transferred from a hospital in Cincinnati to one in Pittsburgh.

The 25-year-old Shazier suffered his injury while hitting Cincinnati’s Josh Malone in the first quarter of Pittsburgh’s 23-20 victory over the Bengals on Monday night. Shazier motioned to his lower back immediately after the hit and was taken off the field on a stretcher.

The Steelers offered no additional update on Shazier’s condition.

Browns fire executive, but coach is safe.

The Browns fired top executive Sashi Brown, but they are keeping coach Hue Jackson for another season despite a 1-27 record.

Brown, who was named the team’s top executive by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam during an overhaul following the 2015 season, was relieved of his duties. In announcing his dismissal, Jimmy Haslam said Brown was told the team “is going in a new direction.”

Haslam also announced that Jackson will remain as the coach for next season.

Footnotes.

The Chiefs placed pass rusher Dee Ford on injured reserve with an ailing back and signed defensive tackle Justin Hamilton. … Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson was limited at practice after tweaking a hamstring, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Broncos is uncertain. Anderson was a full participant Wednesday but was listed on the team’s injury report with a hamstring issue. … Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor had limited mobility in his bruised left knee while practicing for the first time since being hurt last weekend. Taylor’s status remains uncertain for Buffalo’s home game against Indianapolis. … Dolphins coach Adam Gase said No. 2 quarterback Matt Moore will be unavailable for at least one more game because of a foot injury.