The five St. Louis Rams players who entered the field before Sunday’s game with their hands in the air in a “don’t shoot” pose in support of the nearby Ferguson, Mo., protests will not be fined for their actions.

The St. Louis Police Officers Association said the five Rams players who stood with their hands raised before Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders in St. Louis should be disciplined and the NFL should publicly apologize.

Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s vice president of communications, released a statement Monday: “We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation.”

The players had used the team’s pregame introductions to offer a show of support. As the Rams’ offense was introduced, tight end Jared Cook and receivers Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens and Tavon Austin stopped near the tunnel and raised their hands in a nod to the fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. Some witnesses said Brown, who was black, had his hands up before being shot. Wilson, who is white, testified to the grand jury that Brown hit him and reached for his gun before fleeing. There have been riots, looting and buildings burned in Ferguson since a grand jury declined last week to indict Wilson.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher said he wasn’t aware the gesture had been planned by the players, who are all black.

–Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter will spend at least another night in a Houston hospital to undergo evaluation for a lacerated spleen.

Hunter spent Sunday night at the hospital after being injured during the Titans’ 45-21 loss to the Houston Texans. Hunter was hit by Texans safety Danieal Manning in the first quarter on an in-cutting route as the ball sailed and was intercepted. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger took responsibility for misreading the coverage, but Hunter did not make much of an effort to go get the ball.

–The NFL has told the players association in a letter that it will consider allowing someone other than commissioner Roger Goodell to impose discipline on players, the Washington Post reported.

At the same time, the league remains adamant that appeals of such decisions would continue to be resolved by Goodell or a person appointed by him.

The league and the union remain at odds as the NFL reworks its personal conduct policy in the aftermath of the Rice, Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy cases. The union wants to have appeals of player disciplinary decisions heard and resolved by a neutral arbitrator.

–Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams’ trying season continued Sunday as he suffered a broken finger in the Panthers’ 31-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Williams is considered day-to-day after breaking the middle finger on his right hand, coach Ron Rivera said.

The 31-year-old franchise rushing leader has missed six games this season with hamstring and ankle injuries. Williams gained 21 yards on seven carries against Minnesota and has just 219 rushing yards this season. He is in the final year of a $43 million contract.

–Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu and running back Andre Ellington both hope to continue to play despite injuries suffered Sunday.

Mathieu’s thumb was broken in the second quarter of Arizona’s 29-18 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Bruce Arians said he could play with a cast or end up having a pin inserted and missing up to three games.

Ellington hurt his hip but hopes treatment will allow him to keep playing.

–Nick Foles’ collarbone is healing, but the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback remains out, coach Chip Kelly said.

Kelly confirmed that Foles underwent a CT scan on Friday.

Foles reportedly is expected to miss 2-4 more weeks with the injury that already has sidelined him for the past four games.

With Foles out, Mark Sanchez has led the Eagles to four wins in five games, including the Week 9 win over Houston in which Foles was injured and a 33-10 victory over Dallas on Thanksgiving.

–Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles suffered a bruised knee Sunday, but coach Andy Reid said that Charles should be available to play this week.

Charles did not miss any time Sunday in the Chiefs’ 29-16 loss to the Denver Broncos — he ran for 35 yards on 10 carries.

The knee is swollen, Reid said, but he also said Charles should be able to play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

–The Pittsburgh Steelers placed defensive end Brett Keisel on injured reserve and signed defensive end Clifton Geathers to replace him.

Keisel, 36, suffered a torn triceps during the Steelers’ 35-32 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Keisel finished the season with 17 tackles, a sack and an interception.

–With tight end Jace Amaro out Monday due to a concussion, the New York Jets added tight end Chris Pantale from the practice squad and released linebacker Antwan Barnes.

Pantale, an undrafted second-year player out of Boston College, spent time on the 53-man roster last season but never got into a game and had spent this season on the practice squad.