Dolphins hire Dorrell as wide receivers coach

Karl Dorrell, fired as UCLA’s coach in December, has been hired by the Miami Dolphins as the team’s wide receivers coach.

It’s a return to the NFL for Dorrell, who was wide receivers coach for the Denver Broncos from 2000 to ’02. In Miami, he’ll work under new Coach Tony Sparano, hired last week after the Dolphins endured a 1-15 season.

Dorrell is to be paid a little more than $2 million over the next two years, though his salary from the Dolphins will be deducted from his UCLA buyout.

New England quarterback Tom Brady, reportedly suffering from a mild high right ankle sprain, was not available to reporters and he was not at the 15 minutes of practice before the open media period ended.

“I don’t have any comment on it,” Coach Bill Belichick said. “The injury report will be out next Wednesday and we’re excited to give that to you. That form will be filled out completely and I can’t wait to give that to everybody.

“I know you’re anxious for it, so when it’s due on Wednesday, we’ll have it for you. Don’t worry about that.”

The Patriots also put backup safety Mel Mitchell on injured reserve because of a biceps injury, sidelining the special teams player for the Super Bowl.

Six-time Pro Bowl fullback Mike Alstott announced his retirement after 12 seasons, saying goodbye to the NFL during a tearful news conference in a meeting room where the Buccaneers played a highlight film of some of his most memorable plays.

The team’s all-time touchdown leader spent the 2007 season on injured reserve with a neck problem that was not related to a career-threatening injury that required surgery in 2003. He held little hope for a return, but still had difficulty saying his career was over.

Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, replacing Tommie Harris of the Chicago Bears. . . . Ethan Albright, the Washington Redskins long snapper, was selected for the NFC team for the Pro Bowl. . . . Buffalo Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel is going to the Pro Bowl for a second year in a row after he was added to the AFC roster in place of injured Dolphins end Jason Taylor. . . . Ollie Wilson rejoined the San Diego Chargers as running backs coach.