Monday NFL Week 4 Buzz Blog
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October 4 News and Notes
Chargers place OLB on injured reserve — 11:58 p.m.
The San Diego Chargers have placed outside linebacker Jyles Tucker on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle, meaning his season is over.
He was hurt in Sunday's 41-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Tucker's injury comes a week after outside linebacker Larry English had foot surgery that will keep him out four to six weeks. Additionally, Shawne Merriman missed Sunday's game with a calf injury, the second game he's missed this season.
— The Associated Press
Tom Brady wins 100th game — 11:45 p.m.
Tom Brady did more than get a win against the Dolphins tonight. He etched his name in NFL stone. Since being selected 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, Brady has established himself among the league’s best quarterbacks.
Tonight, Brady became the 22nd quarterback in NFL history to win 100 games and did it in the fewest number of starts (131).
— Ross Jones
Jags limiting '08 first-rounder Harvey's playing time — 8:55 p.m.
It looks like Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Derrick Harvey has gone from championship game MVP to first-round bust.
Coach Jack Del Rio indicated Monday that Harvey will see less playing time when the Jaguars (2-2) play at winless Buffalo on Sunday, a move predicated on Harvey's lack of production this season.
Harvey, the defensive MVP of the Bowl Championship Series title game in January 2007 and the eighth overall pick in 2008, was credited with just one tackle last week against Philadelphia and didn't even do that much Sunday against Indianapolis.
— The Associated Press
Dolphins without three starters; Patriots without Taylor — 8:07 p.m.
The New England Patriots listed veteran RB Fred Taylor (toe) as one of their eight inactives for tonight’s game at the Miami Dolphins.
Look for third-year RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis to be the main ball carrier for the game. The Patriots will dress just three backs for the game, but have five on their 53-man roster.
Also out of note is G/OT Nick Kaczur (back), who was expected to be New England’s starting left guard this season. He has yet to play. Fifth-year guard Dan Connolly will continue to start at left guard.
For the Dolphins, starting RG John Jerry (illness) is out again. Fifth-year OT/G Pat McQuistan will start for the second straight week.
Two starters on defense, DE Jared Odrick (ankle) and ILB Channing Crowder (groin), are also on Miami’s inactive list.
Odrick was injured during the Week 1 game at the Buffalo Bills and hasn’t played ever since.
Crowder has yet to play this season. Veteran ILB Tim Dobbins will make his fourth straight start in his place.
— Adam Caplan
Giants C O'Hara making progress with ankle — 7:34 p.m.
Pro Bowl center Shaun O'Hara is finally seeing some progress with his injured left ankle.
After receiving a cortisone shot on Thursday, O'Hara is walking with less discomfort.
Doctors are now treating the 33-year-old for bursitis in the ankle instead of tendinitis in his Achilles' tendon.
''We started a different treatment and that seems to be helping it,'' O'Hara said Monday. ''It has really responded positively and we all are excited about the way it has responded.''
— The Associated Press
49ers cut veteran DB — 7:07 p.m.
The San Francisco 49ers have released veteran SS Michael Lewis, who recently asked to be released.
Lewis was signed through 2012, but the final two years of his contract were taken off, and his base salary of $4.105 million was cut to $1.7 million before training camp started.
“I want to thank Michael for his hard work and leadership as a 49er,” said head coach Mike Singletary. “We wish him and his family all the best.”
As a member of the 49ers, Lewis appeared in 50 games, totaling 381 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 23 passes defensed.
A nine-year veteran out of Colorado, he originally entered the league as a second round draft pick (58th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2002 NFL Draft, with whom he spent five seasons before signing with the 49ers in 2007.
In his career, Lewis has played in 126 games (108 starts) and registered 912 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 12 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and 64 passes defensed.
Lewis, 30, will be replaced in the starting lineup going forward by second-round pick Taylor Mays. The rookie started Sunday’s game at the Atlanta Falcons.
— Adam Caplan
Brian Cushing back with Texans — 5:52 p.m.
Brian Cushing has rejoined the Houston Texans, ending his four-game NFL suspension, and coach Gary Kubiak says he'll play in Sunday's game against the New York Giants.
Cushing was not available for comment Monday. The Texans return to practice Wednesday.
Kubiak says Cushing will go through an individual workout on Tuesday.
Cushing, last year's Defensive Rookie of the Year, was suspended in May for testing positive for HCG, a fertility drug that's on the NFL's banned substances list. HCG can be used to mask steroid use.
Cushing started every game at outside linebacker last season, making 133 tackles. Xavier Adibi replaced Cushing for Houston's first four games this year and made 11 tackles. Full story ...
— Associated Press
Bills starting cornerback out after surgery — 5:04 p.m.
Buffalo Bills starting cornerback Terrence McGee will miss at least the next two weeks because of a surgical procedure performed last week on his left leg.
Coach Chan Gailey said Monday it wasn't knee surgery, but it was related to McGee's recent knee soreness.
McGee missed Buffalo's 38-14 loss to the New York Jets Sunday, and will be out for the upcoming game against Jacksonville (2-2). The Bills have their bye following that game.
Tight end Shawn Nelson is eligible to be reinstated this week after serving his four-game NFL suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. However, the Bills may use an injury exemption for him after Nelson revealed Monday that he underwent groin surgery four weeks ago.
— Associated Press
Bills add offensive lineman — 4:54 p.m.
The Buffalo Bills have signed OL Mansfield Wrotto off their practice squad. To make room for him on their 53-man roster, the Bills waived OT Jamon Meredith.
Wrotto (6-3, 310), who signed with Buffalo’s practice squad on Oct. 1, was released by Seattle on September 29. The Georgia Tech product originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round (124th overall) draft choice of the Seahawks in 2007. Wrotto has played in 16 games, making five starts with Seattle.
Wrotto, who can play guard or tackle, figures to compete for a job to be the team’s top backup guard.
— Adam Caplan
Titans coach slapped with fine — 4:48 p.m.
Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil has been fined $40,000 by the NFL for an obscene gesture at game officials.
The league on Monday said Cecil violated a rule that prohibits use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures to game officials.
Television cameras caught Cecil using his right hand to make the gesture when officials flagged his defense for a neutral zone infraction during the second quarter Sunday. The penalty gave Denver first-and-goal, and Kyle Orton threw a 2-yard touchdown pass on the next play for a 7-0 lead.
Cecil declined comment after the game, a 26-20 loss in which the Titans were flagged 10 times for a season-high 111 yards in penalties. Full story ...
— Associated Press
Jags ink defensive tackle — 4:42 p.m.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to contract terms with free agent DT C.J. Mosley, a source told FOXSports.com.
Mosley, who was released by the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 4, will compete for playing time in back of starting DTs Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton. If all goes well, Mosley should take over as the first defensive tackle off the bench.
Mosley, 27, played last season with the Cleveland Browns. He has played in a 3-4 defensive scheme over the past four seasons. The Jaguars play a 4-3.
The veteran defensive lineman was originally a sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings out of the 2005 NFL Draft.
— Adam Caplan
Titans lose Derrick Morgan — 4:29 p.m.
Tennessee Titans DE Derrick Morgan, who was injured during the first half of Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos, suffered a torn ACL, head coach Jeff Fisher said Monday.
The rookie defensive lineman, who was a first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, recorded 1 1/2 sacks in four games, but didn’t start any of them.
Morgan was essentially being used as a situational pass rusher before he got hurt.
— Adam Caplan
Chargers safety suspended four games — 2:04 p.m.
San Diego Chargers starting SS Steve Gregory has been suspended four games by the NFL for violation the policy on performance enhancing drugs, a source confirmed.
Gregory, whose appeal was denied by the league, will begin servicing the four-game suspension this week.
Gregory, 26, will be eligible to return to the team for the Nov. 7 game at the Houston Texans. In his absence, the Chargers will look at rookie SS Darrell Stuckey, a fourth-round pick, and fourth-year S Paul Oliver.
Gregory was originally signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free-agent in 2006. He has started 13 games in his five years of play.
— Adam Caplan
Carolina's Steve Smith likely out next week — 1:45 p.m.
The winless Carolina Panthers likely will be without top receiver Steve Smith for at least one game because of a high ankle sprain.
Smith's agent, Derrick Fox, said Monday the four-time Pro Bowl pick ''most likely'' will sit out Sunday's game against Chicago. Coach John Fox would only say Smith is ''day to day.'' The Panthers have a bye after hosting the Bears.
Smith hurt his left ankle in the third quarter Sunday at New Orleans when a defender fell on his leg after he made a catch along the sideline. Smith hobbled off the field, then was carted inside for X-rays, which were negative.
Smith's absence further depletes Carolina's struggling offense, which ranks last in the NFL at 11 1/2 points a game. Smith has 13 catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns.
— Associated Press
Packers lose starting safety for year — 12:52 p.m.
The Green Bay Packers have lost starting SS Morgan Burnett for the rest of the season. Burnett suffered a knee injury during the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions and didn’t return. Burnett suffered a torn ACL, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Monday.
The team is already without veteran SS Atari Bigby (ankle), who remains on the PUP (physically unable to perform list).
Backup S Derrick Martin, who replaced Burnett against Detroit, will take over again.
— Adam Caplan
Michael Vick injury update — 12:18 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick, who left Sunday’s loss to the Washington Redskins in the first half, has a rib cartilage injury, according to head coach Andy Reid. The injury is to Vick’s second and third (upper rib area) ribs. Vick’s status for Sunday night’s game at the San Francisco 49ers won’t be known until later this week, but Reid said Vick was very sore on Monday morning.
Starting RB LeSean McCoy has a rib fracture, Reid said. His status as well for Sunday’s game isn’t known. McCoy was injured in the first half against Washington, but was able to play through the injury. Should McCoy not be able to play this week, RB Mike Bell would start.
Reid also said rookie WR Riley Cooper and starting CB Asante Samuel suffered mild concussions. Both players are being evaluated on Monday.
Philadelphia only has four receivers on their active roster, so it’s possible that they consider re-signing veteran WR Kelley Washington, who was released on Sept. 4.
— Adam Caplan
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