NFL notes: Rams’ Jared Cook: ‘absolutely’ would repeat gesture

Jared Cook said he’d “absolutely” repeat the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” gesture he and four teammates made during Sunday’s game.

Even if he’s receiving threats or it costs the St. Louis Rams some fans.

The tight end was designated spokesman Wednesday for the five-player group that made the gesture before Sunday’s win over Oakland. He explained it was not just a show of solidarity for Ferguson protesters but for peaceful demonstrations everywhere.

Asked in hindsight whether the group might have taken a different tack that wouldn’t have antagonized law enforcement officials, he answered: “We could have, absolutely. But would we? Absolutely not.”

Ex-Seahawk coach Pete Rodriguez dies

Pete Rodriquez, one of the first Hispanic coaches in pro football, has died. He was 75.

Rodriguez was the Seahawks special teams coach from 1998-2003. He also worked for the Raiders, Cardinals, Redskins, and Jaguars, as well as for two USFL and one CFL team.

Around the league

Brian Hoyer held off Johnny Manziel again. Cleveland’s struggling veteran quarterback kept his job and will start Sunday against Indianapolis after first-year coach Mike Pettine decided he would be a better choice to lead the Browns down the stretch than Manziel. … The Green Bay Packers’ win over fellow Super Bowl contender New England at Lambeau Field was the highest-rated NFL regular-season game in almost three years. The first matchup between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady averaged a 17.6 rating and 32 share Sunday on CBS. … The Buffalo Bills are done playing regular season “home” games in Toronto after reaching an agreement with Canadian-based communications giant Rogers Communications to terminate the four remaining years left on the series. … Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger sat out practice but the team insisted it has nothing to do with his right wrist, which he banged on a helmet in the first quarter of last Sunday’s loss to New Orleans. … Two people familiar with the case say Adrian Peterson won’t attend the conclusion of his suspension appeal hearing today when NFL executive Troy Vincent is scheduled to testify. … Six weeks after breaking his collarbone, Buffalo Bills RB C.J. Spiller returned to practice in a move that opens the possibility of him being eligible to resume playing in two weeks. … The Browns placed WR Miles Austin on injured reserve and say he’s still in the hospital recovering from a kidney injury.