The Oakland Raiders announced Tuesday that Tony Sparano will take over as the team’s interim head coach.

Sparano replaces Dennis Allen, who was fired Monday after the Raiders’ 38-14 loss to the Miami Dolphins in London the previous day.

Allen’s teams compiled an 8-28 record after he took over as Raiders coach at the start of the 2012 season. Oakland is in the midst of a league-high 10-game losing streak.

Sparano joined the Raiders in 2013 and served as assistant head coach/offensive line coach before Tuesday’s announcement by general manager Reggie McKenzie.

Sparano was Miami Dolphins head coach from 2008 to 2011 and compiled a 29-33 record.

—In an era of billion dollar television broadcasting contracts with the NFL, there is no longer a need for blackout rules regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC eliminated the rule that prevented local network stations from televising games that were not officially sold out.

Numbers show the blackout rule is not needed, both on the earnings ledger of the mega-profitable NFL and attendance tracking at the league’s 31 stadiums. Last year, only two games were blacked out in local TV markets and the NFL turned a record profit of $10 billion.

Since 1975, at a time when gate receipts drove earnings for the league, the FCC barred television broadcast of NFL games that were not sold out.

—The NFL acknowledged Tuesday that officials made a mistake in flagging Kansas City safety Husain Abdullah for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty when he fell to his knees in prayer after a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown during the Chiefs’ 41-14 victory over the New England Patriots on Monday night.

A league rule prohibits players from celebrating while on the ground, but Abdullah is a Muslim who prostrated himself in the end zone after scoring. He told reporters after the game that he thought the officials flagged him for a slide and not for prostrating himself.

Abdullah’s pick-six gave the Chiefs a 41-7 lead.

—The Atlanta Falcons officially lost two more offensive lineman for the season with center Joe Hawley and tackle Lamar Holmes placed on injured reserve. Safety William Moore was also placed on injured reserve with the designation to return tag.

Hawley suffered a torn ACL in his right knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Holmes is out with a foot injury.

The Falcons signed tackle Cameron Bradfield and guard Harland Gunn to the active roster Tuesday and were expected to work out veteran guard Uche Nwaneri. Guard Adam Replogle was signed to the practice squad.

—Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict could return to practice this week after concussions each of the first two weeks of the season.

Asked Monday if Burfict would be back on the field, coach Marvin Lewis said “I would imagine he will, yes.” Burfict missed Week 3 and the Bengals are coming off a bye week.

Versatile reserve Vinny Rey has been effectively filling in for Burfict. The Bengals are preparing to play the New England Patriots this week.

—Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis, out for the season with a torn Achilles, signed a one-year contract extension through 2016.

Mathis signed a four-year, $36 million deal before the 2012 season, including a $5 million salary for the 2014 season and $7 million next year. Mathis, 33, was injured working out on his own in Atlanta and would have been eligible to play for the first time in 2014 this week.

Mathis had 19 1/2 sacks in 2013 but was suspended four games for testing positive for testosterone, which Mathis and his physician claimed was taken for fertility reasons.

The Colts also added cornerback Jalil Brown to the active roster.

—Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater missed practice for the second day in a row because of a sprained left ankle and his status remains up in the air for Thursday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

The rookie said Tuesday that he’s feeling better about his chances of playing. He suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 41-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Coach Mike Zimmer remains confident that the 2014 first-round draft pick will be ready for the game. If Bridgewater can’t go, his replacement likely would be Christian Ponder.

—Detroit Lions tight end Joseph Fauria didn’t injure his left ankle on the field during a game or practice. It happened in his apartment while … chasing his puppy.

Fauria offered full disclosure this week about the mishap that resulted in a sprained ankle and left him on crutches. As Fauria was chasing his 3-month-old Pomeranian-Husky mix down the stairs last Wednesday in attempt to keep the puppy from relieving himself, he missed some steps and landed awkwardly on his left foot.

Fauria refused to discuss when he will be able to return. He has three catches for 49 yards this season.

In other Lions news, running back George Winn joined the active roster from the practice squad, an indication that injured running back Joique Bell is likely to miss at least Sunday’s game. Bell was diagnosed with a concussion in the win over the New York Jets.

—The Chicago Bears waived receiver Rashad Ross and promoted wide receiver Chris Williams from the practice squad to the active roster on Tuesday.

Ross returned five kickoffs for 106 yards the past two weeks for the Bears. Williams played in his first NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 and spent the past two weeks on the practice squad.

—Tight end Jordan Reed practiced for the first time since Week 1 and could be back in the lineup for the Washington Redskins this week.

Reed made just one catch for 9 yards before leaving with a hamstring injury in the opening-week loss at Houston. Reed battled concussion issues as a rookie last season but was viewed as a critical cog for the Redskins offense.

The Redskins also signed linebacker Gabe Miller and nose tackle Robert Thomas to their practice squad and released defensive lineman Hebron Fangupo from the practice squad.