At age 64, the toll of another long season has Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells privately contemplating a final retirement -- even as team owner Jerry Jones is urging the coach to sign a contract extension. Sources tell ESPN's Chris Mortensen that the death of Parcells' brother at midseason is one of the events that has triggered the coach's thoughts of retirement. If Parcells stays in Dallas, it's because he truly likes the team he has assembled, even though his work is not complete. The Cowboys (8-6) are coming off a 35-7 humiliation in Washington that marked their third loss in four games. They'll have to recover in time to play Saturday at Carolina (10-4) in a game both teams consider must-win.

The Dallas Cowboys released former Pro Bowl receiver Peerless Price on Saturday, according to a report on the team's Web site. Price, who signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract in September, played in seven games with one start for the Cowboys. He caught six passes for 96 yards and averaged 5.3 yards on 12 punt returns. He was inactive four times earlier in the season before receiver Patrick Crayton injured his ankle in the Cowboys' win against the New York Giants on Oct. 16. Crayton, who had 18 catches for 272 and two touchdowns before his injury, practiced this week and said he was ready to return.

The Philadelphia Eagles have withdrawn a tampering complaint against the Cowboys filed after Dallas owner Jerry Jones suggested on a radio show that his team is often interested in players such as suspended wide receiver Terrell Owens. "At the time, the Eagles were concerned that the nature and timing of the comments could affect the outcome of the arbitration hearing involving Owens," the team said in a statement Friday. "We have now had the opportunity to review the full transcript of the interview and in light of the fact the comments obviously had no effect on the outcome of the hearing, the Eagles have since contacted the National Football League in order to withdraw their request to have the league pursue this matter." Owens was suspended for four games by the Eagles on Nov. 5 for criticizing quarterback Donovan McNabb, fighting with team "ambassador" Hugh Douglas and other actions deemed detrimental to the team. The suspension was upheld by an arbitrator.

Michael Irvin says he has been suspended by ESPN for one week for not telling the network about his arrest last week, when police found a drug pipe hidden in his car during a traffic stop. Irvin, who has maintained that the pipe belonged to a friend, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he won't return to the air until Dec. 11. He was arrested Friday in Plano, Texas, for an outstanding warrant on an unpaid speeding ticket but was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after police searched his car. ESPN did not learn of Irvin's arrest until reporters began calling the network Sunday night. Irvin said he didn't tell the network about his arrest because he was scared. "I was just scared, hoping and praying that maybe it would go away," Irvin said. "I was told that I paid the fine and it was over. I was hoping it was over."