April 8 (The Sports Xchange) - The NFL hired Sarah Thomas as the league's first full-time female official in a groundbreaking announcement Wednesday.

Thomas, who became the first female to officiate an NCAA football game in 2007, has previously been a finalist for an NFL job. She has been working in the NFL's Officiating Development Program.

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The New York Jets signed linebacker Erin Henderson to a one-year contract, re-signed defensive end Leger Douzable to a one-year deal and reportedly agreed to terms with former New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley.

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Defensive end George Johnson, a restricted free agent of the Detroit Lions, has signed a three-year, $9 million offer sheet with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If the Lions do not match the offer by Monday, Johnson will return to the team for which he played his first two-plus seasons.

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The Oakland Raiders on Wednesday announced the re-signing of 10 players, all restricted or exclusive-rights free agents.

The restricted free agents were wide receivers Andre Holmes and Rod Streater, safeties Larry Asante and Brandian Ross and punter Marquette King.

The exclusive-rights free agents were defensive end Denico Autry, tight end Brian Leonhardt, UOZWZANRCOALQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N offensive tackle Matt McCants, fullback Jamize Olawale and cornerback Neiko Thorpe.

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Free agent wide receiver Wes Welker reportedly visited the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday.

Welker began his career with the Dolphins in 2004 and was traded to the New England Patriots in 2007. He played the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos.

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The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed linebacker Emmanuel Lamur to a one-year tender deal.

Lamur's contract had expired on March 10, making him a restricted free agent. He will make $2.356 million under the terms of his one-year deal.

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The Dallas Cowboys released defensive tackle Amobi Okoye.

Okoye spent the 2014 season on the Cowboys' reserve list for non-football illness, recovering from a rare, potentially fatal autoimmune syndrome called anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

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The Green Bay Packers released offensive tackle Aaron Adams.

A second-year player out of Eastern Kentucky, Adams spent the 2014 season on injured reserve after suffering an injury during the preseason.

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Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib and his brother are being investigated by police for an alleged aggravated assault after an incident Wednesday morning at a Dallas nightclub.

According to Dallas TV station WFAA, Talib and his brother were allegedly involved in an altercation while at Club Luxx and a gun was fired.

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Cornerback P.J. Williams, a top draft prospect out of Florida State, has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence, his attorney said Wednesday.

Williams, 21, was arrested Friday in Tallahassee, Fla. He was driving a rental car on a suspended license and was pulled over after making an illegal turn and crossing the center line several times, according to court records obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat. (Editing by Frank Pingue)