League is investigating comments to Rolle

The NFL is looking into a postgame comment by Baltimore cornerback Samari Rolle, who contends an on-field official called him “boy” during the Ravens’ 27-24 loss to New England.

Rolle identified the official by his number rather than by name after the Monday night game, which was marked by several disputed officiating decisions.

“The refs called me a boy,” Rolle said, according to a transcript of postgame comments provided to the media by the Ravens. “No. 110 called me a boy.”

Both Rolle and the official, identified in the NFL official guide as head linesman Phil McKinnely, are African American. McKinnely, 53, played in the NFL as an offensive tackle from 1976 to ’82.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is reviewing the players’ union appeal of his decision last month not to ease the season-long suspension of Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones. But Goodell is not in a hurry to make a ruling.

Asked if Goodell was hearing the union’s appeal this week, league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail, “The matter is under review.”

Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry won his appeal of a one-year suspension over a failed drug test.

The NFL informed Henry in September he had failed a test for marijuana. He disputed the results and sued the NFL to avoid a suspension. He contended the league violated its substance abuse policy by not allowing an expert of Henry’s choosing to be present for the testing.

An average of 10.1 million viewers watched Thursday’s NFC matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys on the NFL Network.

That was more than any of the baseball playoff games that aired on TBS, which is available in more than twice as many homes.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas was put on injured reserve after missing the last five games because of migraines. The seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker has said he expects to play next season. . . . The New York Giants put leading rusher Derrick Ward on injured reserve, two days after he broke his left leg against the Chicago Bears. . . . The Denver Broncos waived veteran defensive tackle Sam Adams and cornerback Jeff Shoate.