Cowboys not expected to give coach the boot | NFL

IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys quietly cleaned out their lockers Monday. Many players used plastic garbage bags to carry their shoes and other personal items.

But few of them are going anywhere.

The Cowboys are bringing back Wade Phillips and his staff, though owner Jerry Jones has yet to make an official announcement. Most of the 53 players are coming back, too.

Phillips didn't talk to the media Monday.

The Cowboys won the NFC East for the second time in three years. They had a winning record in December and January for the first time since 1996. They won a playoff game for the first time since the '96 season.

The Cowboys, who began the year as underdogs, became NFC favorites by putting together a four-game winning streak while Minnesota and New Orleans struggled to end the regular season.

But it all came crashing down in a 34-3 loss to Minnesota on Sunday.

The Cowboys never saw it coming.

"It hurts," Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett said. "We had a good season but a bad game. ... You can't put spilled milk back in the jug. Just clean it up and make another glass."

Broncos lose defensive boss

DENVER — Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and the Denver Broncos have agreed to part ways.

Nolan is the third member of coach Josh McDaniels' staff to depart after a disappointing 8-8 season. Offensive-line coach Rick Dennison left for Houston's staff and running-backs coach Bobby Turner joined coach Mike Shanahan in Washington. While their departures were expected, Nolan's was a surprise.

Nolan was McDaniels' first hire.

The reason for the split is a mystery. The Denver Post quoted Nolan as saying, "I can't say anything other than Josh and I mutually agreed to part ways."

Notes

• Jets DE Shaun Ellis has a broken left hand but expects to play in the AFC Championship Game Sunday. He said he'll have surgery to insert screws into the hand after the game against the Colts. If the Jets win, his hand would have two weeks to heal before the Super Bowl.

• Vikings DE Ray Edwards' injured right knee will be monitored closely during practice this week for Sunday's NFC title game against New Orleans, coach Brad Childress said. Edwards was injured during Sunday's playoff win over Dallas.

• Titans WR Kenny Britt was arrested in Glen Ridge, N.J., on three outstanding traffic warrants. Police said Britt paid $865 for three minor violations and was released.

• WR Vincent Jackson was handcuffed briefly and had his car impounded after a traffic stop in San Diego a few hours before his Chargers lost to the Jets on Sunday. Police said he was cited for driving with a suspended license and expired tags.

• The San Francisco 49ers hired veteran coach Kurt Schottenheimer as special-teams coordinator. Schottenheimer, 60, was out of football last season after working as Green Bay's secondary coach from 2006-08.

• Sun Life Financial has purchased naming rights to the Miami Dolphins' stadium in time for the Pro Bowl on Jan. 31 and the Super Bowl the following Sunday. It had most recently been called Land Shark Stadium.