NFL officials made a “procedural” error when...

NFL officials made a “procedural” error when they waited to consult a press box replay before signaling a touchdown in the Chicago Bears-Cleveland Browns game, a league spokesman said.

The NFL policy of using videotaped instant replays, which are being used for the first time in the regular season, requires the field officials to make a ruling on a play. If necessary, an official watching the replay can overrule them on matters of possession or out-of-bounds calls.

In Sunday’s game, the game officials did not signal a Browns touchdown by Al Gross on a poorly centered ball by the Bears, until after the officials had checked the replay.

Mike Weisman, NBC executive producer, complained about the incident. He said the officials, “put the game in the hands of NBC.”