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RENTON, Wash. (AP) The Seattle Seahawks have fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. and passing game coordinator Andre Curtis, the team said Tuesday.

Norton's firing brought an end to what had been several seasons of continuity on the defensive side. The news was first reported by The Seattle Times.

Coach Pete Carroll had said last week it was too early to know the extent of changes coming to the Seahawks' coaching staff. But he noted two specific areas for improvement - creating more turnovers and improving the pass rush - and both are on the defensive side.

Browns' McDowell attacks police officer

CLEVELAND (AP) Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik McDowell, who was given a second chance by the team after serving jail time, was arrested Monday in Florida on charges of beating a police officer and public exposure.

Police in Deerfield Beach, Florida, said they were responding to a "naked male walking near a school" when an officer approached McDowell, who was sitting on a curb, according to the arrest report. The officer said McDowell stood up, uttered an obscenity at him and "charged at me full speed with a closed fist." (MORE)

Dodgers promote ex-pitcher Gomes to GM
LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers promoted former major league pitcher Brandon Gomes to general manager on Tuesday, filling a spot that had been vacant since 2018. Gomes had been an assistant GM with the team since 2019. The Dodgers last had a GM in 2018, when Farhan Zaidi quit that November to join the rival San Francisco Giants. (MORE)

Prescott regrets comments on officials

FRISCO, Texas (AP) Dak Prescott apologized Tuesday night for his comments that condoned Dallas Cowboys fans throwing objects at NFL officials after the team's playoff loss, with the quarterback saying in a series of tweets that he deeply regretted what he said after the game.

When initially asked about objects such as water bottles being thrown at Dallas players as they left the field at the end of their 23-17 wild-card loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Prescott said it was "sad" fans would do that. After another reporter said it appeared that officials were the targets, the quarterback responded, "Credit to them then." (MORE)

Florida State stuns No. 6 Duke in OT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida State let a late lead evaporate in regulation. Given another chance in overtime, the Seminoles got it done against No. 6 Duke. RayQuan Evans made a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left in overtime, John Butler blocked Wendell Moore Jr.'s driving attempt in the lane with 2 seconds remaining, and Florida State stunned Duke 79-78 on Tuesday night. (MORE)

Vikings seek interview with Rams' Morris

Nadal gets by qualifier, Barty cruises
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Ash Barty was front and center when the Australian Open celebrated its inaugural First Nations Day. Albeit not for very long. The top-ranked Barty has Indigenous heritage and her second-round match at Melbourne Park's main stadium on Wednesday was among the features of a program dedicated to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia. (MORE)

NHL to stop testing asymptomatic players
The NHL will stop testing asymptomatic players, coaches and staff who are fully vaccinated following the All-Star break in early February, saying coronavirus cases continue to decline across the league. The league and Players' Association announced the protocol changes Tuesday. The current policy will remain in place until the All-Star break begins Feb. 3. (MORE)

Stamkos among 4 fan-voted All-Stars

Tomlin: All options on table for 2022 QB
PITTSBURGH (AP) For the first time in Mike Tomlin's long tenure as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he enters the offseason unsure of who his starting quarterback will be in the fall. The only certainty is that it won't be Ben Roethlisberger, who has given every indication he will retire after an 18-year career. (MORE)