The NFL placed Josh Brown on paid leave Friday hours after coach Ben McAdoo struggled to answer questions about how the Giants might discipline the kicker for abusing his wife.

In a letter to the 14-year veteran, NFL senior vice president of labor policy Adolpho Birch said Brown was being placed on the league’s ‘‘exempt list’’ while the league investigates whether he should be suspended as punishment for several alleged acts of spousal abuse. Birch said the move ‘‘does not represent a finding that you have violated the personal conduct policy,’’ but does pave the way toward potential further sanctions.

Being placed on commissioner Roger Goodell’s ‘‘exempt’’ list means Brown continues to be paid and could appeal the decision. Brown cannot attend practices or Giants games, though his presence won’t be counted on the Giants’ 53-man roster. Brown can go to Giants headquarters for meetings and workouts.

The action on Brown came hours after McAdoo­ had trouble explaining the Giants’ intentions toward Brown, their kicker since 2013. The questions about how much the Giants knew about Brown’s off-field troubles have overshadowed preparations for Sunday’s game in London against the Rams.

Brown did not travel to London following Wednesday’s release of police records which contained the player’s written admissions that he physically abused his now ex-wife, Molly Brown, over a protracted period.

She told police in the documents released by the King County Sheriff’s Office in Washington state that the abuse and other threatening behavior stretched from 2009, when she was pregnant with their daughter, to the Pro Bowl in January 2016.

The Giants in April re-signed Brown to a two-year contract valued at $4 million. When facing his one-game suspension, Brown in August said he was divorced from his wife, although police documents released Wednesday suggested that civil proceedings remain incomplete.

The Giants have signed kicker Robbie Gould, an 11-year veteran of the Bears who was cut in September for salary-cap reasons. Gould, 34, is expected to practice with the team Saturday.

Bears need Cutler

The Bears keep losing games and quarterbacks. After quarterback Brian Hoyer suffered a broken left arm against the Packers in a 26-10 loss Thursday night, Jay Cutler’s return as starter appears inevitable.

The question is when? ‘‘When he’s cleared medically, we'll have him out there,’’ Bears coach John Fox said. ‘‘When exactly that’s going to be, I can’t answer that. He’s getting closer.’’

Cutler has been at practice without a brace or cast on the thumb in recent weeks, but has taken part in only one team workout since suffering the injury against Philadelphia on Sept. 19. With the Bears off until Oct. 31, Cutler will have more time to recover and possibly start ahead of third-string quarterback Matt Barkley.

It’s not the first quarterback the Bears have lost to a broken bone this year. During preseason, the Bears lost potential third-string quarterback Connor Shaw to a broken leg and signed Barkley on Sept. 4.

Barkley was 30 for 50 with four interceptions with Philadelphia in 2013-14 after being drafted in the fourth round in 2013. Against Green Bay on Thursday, he was 6-for-15 passing for 81 yards with two interceptions.

Barkley had taken practically no first-team snaps and worked almost entirely with the scout team as he tried to learn a new offense.

‘‘It’s just like learning a new language,’’ Barkley said. ‘‘My wife’s been helping me out. Just spit out plays. It just takes time; it’s one of those things that takes time. We've tried to cram as much in as we could.’’

Barkley said getting used to throwing to receivers he'd never worked with even in practice was the biggest obstacle.

The Bears didn’t have starting left guard Josh Sitton due to ankle and shoulder injuries, and Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long left Thursday’s game with an arm issue.

McCoy questionable

Bills running back LeSean McCoy is questionable and will be a game-time decision for Buffalo’s upcoming game against the Dolphins. McCoy said the injury is to his left hamstring, the same hamstring he injured last season . . . Niners running back Carlos Hyde will miss Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay with a shoulder injury. Hyde hurt his shoulder last week in Buffalo. Mike ­Davis and Shaun Draughn will pick up most of the rushing load for the Niners (1-5).

Hyde leads the team with 429 yards rushing and six TDs.

San Francisco also listed receiver Torrey Smith (back), defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey (knee), and cornerback Rashard Robinson (concussion) as questionable.

Wilkerson iffy

Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is questionable to play against the Ravens because of an ailing right ankle.

Wilkerson didn’t practice Friday after being limited Thursday and sitting out Wednesday. Coach Todd Bowles said Wilkerson didn’t have a setback, but was ‘‘more sore than normal’’ and could be a game-time decision. Bowles added ‘‘it’s possible’’ Wilkerson will not play.

Wilkerson had a career-high 12 sacks last season before breaking his right fibula in the regular-season finale at Buffalo. He received a five-year, $86 million deal in July and worked his way back from the injury to be ready for the season opener, in which he had 1½ sacks.

Wilkerson has been mostly quiet since, and told Newsday that his foot has been bothering him ‘‘for a couple weeks.’’

In other injuries, rookie linebacker Darron Lee, who leads the team with 34 overall tackles, had been ruled out Thursday with a sprained ankle. Offensive lineman Brent Qvale (neck) and tight ends Austin Seferian-Jenkins (sprained ankle) and Braedon Bowman (knee) also will not play.

Celebration ruined

Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $24,309 by the NFL for taking off his helmet during a touchdown celebration last Sunday against Baltimore.

After scoring the go-ahead 66-yard TD with 1:24 left in the Giants’ 27-23 win, Beckham drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when he removed his helmet while in the back of the end zone. He then ran toward the sideline, tossed his helmet and kept celebrating.

Detroit safety Glover Quin was also fined $24,309 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Los Angeles wide receiver Tavon Austin.