PYONGYANG, North Korea — Dennis Rodman said the game he and other former NBA players are planning in North Korea will be a “birthday present” for leader Kim Jong Un.

Rodman's squad — featuring ex-All Stars Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson and Vin Baker — will play against a team of North Koreans on Wednesday, which is believed to be Kim's birthday. The former NBA players, who arrived in Pyongyang on Monday, also include Eric “Sleepy” Floyd, guard Doug Christie and Charles D. Smith, who played for the New York Knicks. Four streetball players also are on the squad.

Rodman told The Associated Press he was glad to be in North Korea for the game, though he said he has gotten death threats for his repeated visits. He said proceeds from the game would go to a charity for the deaf in North Korea.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England's defense suffered another big blow when the Patriots' placed linebacker Brandon Spikes on injured reserve because of a knee injury five days before their playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts.Dane Fletcher is likely to replace Spikes at middle linebacker between Dont'a Hightower and rookie Jamie Collins.

NEW YORK — The NFL's wild-card weekend drew huge television audiences.The four games averaged 34.7 million viewers for the most-watched wild-card weekend on record.

MIAMI — Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was fired in the first change by the team since missing the playoffs because of a late-season collapse.Coach Joe Philbin defended Sherman the day after the season, but owner Stephen Ross was expected to demand some sort of shake-up following the dismal finish. Sherman joined the Dolphins when Philbin was hired two years ago.