NFL notes: Ravens deny role in deflated footballs scandal

The Baltimore Ravens deny they tipped off the Indianapolis Colts about underinflated footballs before the AFC championship game.

Court papers released Tuesday in New England quarterback Tom Brady’s lawsuit against the NFL over his four-game suspension show that the Ravens contacted the Colts about deflated footballs used in Baltimore’s playoff loss to the Patriots the previous week. But the Ravens said Wednesday that was not true.

“Prior to the AFC championship game, no one from the Ravens talked to the Colts about deflated footballs,” the Ravens said in a statement. “We knew nothing of deflated footballs. (Coach) John Harbaugh has been consistent in his answers to reporters about this since he was first asked … at the Super Bowl.”

The court filings included a section in which Colts equipment manager Sean Sullivan said Ravens special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg called Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano about K-balls, which are used in the kicking game only. Sullivan said the Ravens were given new footballs instead of the ones properly prepared.

Pagano was an assistant coach with the Ravens before getting the top job in Indianapolis in 2012.

Around the league

Texans running back Arian Foster has a groin injury and is out indefinitely. The Texans worked out free-agent running backs Pierre Thomas, Ben Malena and Joe McKnight. … Bills RB Boobie Dixon could miss up to a month after pulling his calf muscle. … Jaguars WR Marqise Lee left practice with a hamstring injury.