Ozzie Newsome says Ray Rice told Roger Goodell in June he hit fiancee

Baltimore Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome testified on Thursday that Ray Rice told NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on June 16 that he hit his then-fiancee, according to sources with knowledge of Newsome’s sworn testimony.

The testimony could prove crucial to Rice’s bid for immediate reinstatement to the NFL, since the central point of the former Ravens running back’s appeal hearing was to determine what transpired at the June meeting. The hearing at a New York law firm concluded Thursday afternoon.

Newsome had previously said in a statement that Rice acknowledged he hit Janay Palmer during a February domestic-violence incident in an Atlantic City, N.J., casino elevator, but Newsome added that video of the incident was more violent than what he had anticipated.

Third-party arbitrator Barbara S. Jones might be left to sort out the usage of words such as “hit,” “punch,” and “strike,” as she contemplates how to rule.

Because of a gag order imposed by Jones, the former federal judge who presided over the two-day hearing, no one would comment on the record. Jones’ ruling isn’t expected to be handed down until next week at the earliest.

Rice and Janay, whom he married after being indicted on a felony aggravated assault charge, testified separately under oath Thursday that Rice told the truth to Goodell and the Ravens, according to sources.

Romo practices in London

Tony Romo practiced Thursday for the first time since arriving in London, and the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback says his injured back is getting better.

Romo sat out last Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals because of his third back injury in 18 months. He skipped Wednesday’s practice after the team’s arrival Tuesday.

“We’ll keep taking it day by day and just see what happens,” Romo said. “It’s improving each day and I think we did some things today that were positive. Just keep going in that direction, I think we’ll have a good chance [of playing Sunday].”

The Cowboys (6-3) play the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) at Wembley Stadium in the last of three regular-season games in London this year. They have lost their last two games, however, with backup Brandon Weeden playing last weekend.

Romo has fractures in two small bones in his back. The injury is unrelated to a herniated disk last year or to off-season surgery to remove a cyst earlier in 2013.

Even though Romo practiced, Dallas Coach Jason Garrett was still not sure who will start.

“We would never put a player in harm’s way. Obviously, it’s a very physical sport that we play,” Garrett said. “He [Romo] has to be functional. He has to be able to protect himself.”

Ravens’ Smith out for season

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith will sit out the remainder of the season because of a foot injury.

Smith hurt his left foot in the first quarter of a game against Cincinnati on Oct. 26. The injury was initially diagnosed as a sprain.

But Coach John Harbaugh said an examination of the foot Thursday revealed the need for surgery.

Harbaugh says, “Jimmy is finished for the season, but will recover for our off-season program.”

Smith started all eight games before the injury. He had one interception and 28 tackles.

With Smith out last week for the first time, Baltimore gave up 340 yards passing and six touchdown passes to Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger in a 43-23 defeat.

Now in his fourth season, Smith started all 16 games last year for the first time.