SAN FRANCISCO — Lawyers representing 1,300 former NFL players filed notice Tuesday that they plan to appeal a federal judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit alleging that teams damaged the players’ health by routinely and often illegally dispensing painkillers.

The notice was filed with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The original lawsuit was dismissed in December by Judge William Alsup of the U.S. Northern District in California. He ruled that the collective bargaining agreement between the league and NFL Players Association was the appropriate forum to resolve those claims, not the court.

The appeal would be heard by a three-judge panel that ordered supporting briefs in the case by May 7.

An investigation of claims in the lawsuit also has sparked an investigation by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The agency conducted spot checks of at least five NFL visiting teams’ medical staffs last fall as part of an ongoing probe.

WASHINGTON: The team hired former New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell as defensive backs coach, and Mike Clark as head strength and conditioning coach.

Fewell replaced Raheem Morris, who is expected to join Atlanta’s staff.

JETS: New York hired Brian Heimerdinger as the director of player personnel under new GM Mike Maccagnan.

Heimerdinger spent three seasons as a scout with St. Louis, working as a player personnel analyst.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville hired former Oakland running backs coach Kelly Skipper to the same position and parted ways with Terry Richardson.

BEARS: Clint Hurtt is moving from assistant defensive line coach to outside linebackers coach.

RAIDERS: The team hired four more assistant coaches: tight ends coach Bobby Johnson, wide receivers coach Rob Moore, running backs coach Bernie Parmalee and assistant special teams coach Tracy Smith.

COLTS: Rob Chudzinski was promoted to associate head coach.