2019-11-18

Lane Johnson Enters Concussion Protocol

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Winslow Townson/AP Images
Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson has entered the league's concussion protocol, head coach Doug Pederson said following Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Patriots, via Philly Inquirer.

Pederson said Johnson is in stage 1 of the five-stage return-to-participation protocol. As per league policy, it’ll require approval by an independent neurologist before he's allowed to return to the playing field.

Before taking a knee to the head, Johnson helped the Eagles to 10-0 lead in three drives. Without Johnson, the Eagles allowed five sacks and didn’t score again in the seven following drives.

The two-time Pro Bowler previously missed a game in 2017 due to a concussion.

Philadelphia is reportedly attempting to sign Johnson to an extension, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported last week. Johnson, 29, is signed through 2021.

Eagles (5-5) host Seattle Seahawks (8-2) Sunday.

2019-11-14

Kyler Murray Talks About Being Acknowledge By Lebron James

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Darryl Webb / AP
A day after sitting courtside and being acknowledged by Lebron James in Suns' loss to Lakers in Phoenix, Kyler Murray expressed a sense that he's arrived.



Murray, selected first-overall in 2019 NFL Draft, compared James to being his generation’s Michael Jordan on Wednesday.

Murray told reporters, he just “dabbed me up,” and the experience was “pretty dope.”



Murray, Cardinals (3-6-1) travel to San Francisco on Sunday.

2019-11-13

Kenny Stills Is Selling His Waterfront Florida Home

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Former Oklahoma receiver Kenny Stills is selling his South Florida home.

Stills spent four-years in Miami before a trade to Houston is listing his 5,825 sq-foot home in Fort Lauderdale. Built in 1964, the waterfront home with a spacious pool area, four bedrooms and five bathrooms is listed for $2.8M, according to Sun-Sentinel.com.

Stills has 22 receptions for 367 yards, 1 TD this season.

To see more photos visit Sun-Sentinel.com

2019-11-12

Blake Griffin Makes 2019-20 Season Debut

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Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin is back.

After undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in April, he sat the first 10 games recovering from soreness in his knee and thigh.

Griffin recorded 19 points, seven boards, and six assists in 24 minutes.

“I felt like I never really got into a good rhythm and as a result I felt like I didn’t really contribute down the stretch,” said Griffin, following Monday's 120-114 loss to Minnesota Timberwolves, via NBA.com.

Playing with a minutes restriction, he talked about returning to ‘rhythm.’

“I think Derrick was on minutes restriction, too. I’m not sure how much he played, but we talked about it before, talked about it after. It’s tough to get into a rhythm. We have to use this time as well as we possibly can and figure stuff out, but I’m not discouraged by anything – other than our lack of effort.

“I’ve got to be better in the fourth quarter, (be) depended on, taking care of the ball and all that. As a whole, I thought we just didn’t come out with the right energy.”

Pistons (4-7) announced they will sit Griffin (hamstring) against Miami Heat (6-3) on Tuesday.

2019-11-11

Sterling Shepard Remains in Concussion Protocol

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Brad Penner/Associated Press
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard will remain in the league's concussion protocol, NY Giants coach Pat Shurmur said, via Newsday.

Still suffering concussion-like symptoms, he missed a fifth consecutive game on Sunday when Giants loss to NY Jets, 34-27.

With an open Week 11, Shepard is expected to clear protocol at some point this week, according to Tom Rock of Newsday.

Last week, Shepard’s symptoms were described by Shurmur, as ‘serious' and deserving of a ‘serious response.’

New York travels to Chicago for a Week 12 contest.

WATCH: Baker Mayfield Leads Fifth Career Winning Drive

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Omar Rawlings/Getty Images
Quarterback Baker Mayfield led the Browns to another victory defeating Buffalo on Sunday. It was the Brown’s third win of the season and first at home.

Mayfield threw two touchdowns at First Energy Stadium, ending the team's four-game skid. He completed 26 of 38 passes, accounting for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

WR Jarvis Landry was the recipient of the first touchdown, pulling in a 17-yard grab, giving the Browns an early 6-0 lead in the 1st quarter.


With the Browns trailing 16-12 late in the fourth, Mayfield connected with Rashard Higgins on 7-yard catch. It capped off an 82-yard winning drive giving the Browns the 19-16 win over the Bills.



It was Mayfield's 5th game-winning drive of his career.











2019-11-10

WATCH: Kyler Murray Sets Record For Most Pass Attempts Without An Interception By Rookie

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Derick E. Hinge, USA TODAY Sports
Former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray set an NFL league record in Sunday's 30-27 loss to Tampa Bay.

Murray, drafted first overall in April's draft, set a new league mark for consecutive pass attempts without an interception at 177. A record previously held by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Cardinals travel to San Francisco next week.


2019-11-09

Draft Analyst: Jalen Hurts Is A Third Day Selection

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Charlie Riedel/AP
A prominent draft analyst doesn’t believe Jalen Hurts is a first-round caliber quarterback, ending a two-year stretch of Oklahoma play-callers taken in first round, in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Hurts arrived as an unlikely prospect for the NFL. However, ESPN's Mel Kiper, had Hurts as his 5th best senior QB on his 'Big Board' entering the 2019 season, going in ‘fourth or fifth-round' on the third day.

“I think he’s developing into that, and nobody ever thought that he would be based on what we saw,” Kiper said on ESPN’s First Take, via The Big Lead.

Hurts leads the country in passing efficiency, raking up numbers that surpass Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield. However, Hurts perceived as a product of system while at Alabama under head coach Nick Saban led the Crimson Tide to a 26-2.

“[But] the development started two years ago at Alabama. He looked like a different quarterback than what he was. When you look at where Jalen is right now at Oklahoma, he could end up being a fourth- or fifth-round pick. Not early but day three is where somebody brings him into the fold.

 “We’ll see in time what kind of quarterback Jalen Hurts is going to be,” Kiper added.

“But is he going to be a first or second or third-round pick, I don’t think so.”

NFL Draft is April 23-25 in Las Vegas.

Kyler Murray Likes Joe Burrow Over Jalen Hurts in Heisman Race

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Norm Hall/Getty Images
2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray revealed his favorite to win the prestigious award -- he doesn’t reside in Norman.

Murray won the trophy in his only season as a starter at Oklahoma after becoming the only player in NCAA history to pass over 4,000 yards (4,361 yards) and rushing over 1,000 (1,001 yards). Murray was asked who he sees winning the Heisman ahead of the second weekend of November.

 "Our guy [Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts] kind of took a hit with that loss,” said Murray, of Jalen Hurts following Oklahoma’s loss to Kansas State on Oct. 26, via ESPN.com.

"I think right now, if somebody had to win, it'd probably be Joe Burrow."

Hurts, who leads the NCAA in pass efficiently, is currently fourth (26 votes) in ESPN.com's Heisman Watch after leading much of the season. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (47 votes, 8 first-place) leads the weekly ranking ahead of a showdown of unbeaten in Tuscaloosa on Saturday against Alabama.

The Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player, will have a new recipient on December 14th.




2019-11-08

Sterling Shepard Ruled Out Against New York Jets

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Kathy Willens/AP
New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard will remain sidelined another week with concussion-symptoms.

Shepard will stay in the league's concussion protocol missing Sunday's game against New York Jets, the team announced on Friday. He returned to Giants' practice field on Thursday, running with trainers before stretching with teammates, Daily News reported.

It will be his fifth consecutive game missed due to being concussed and sixth of the season.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur on Tuesday characterized it as ‘serious' that deserved a “serious response.”

The Giants have a bye next week before playing traveling to play Chicago Bears in Week 12.

Adrian Peterson Expected To Remain Starter With Return of Guice

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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson is expected to remain starter despite Derrius Guice being activated, according to ESPN's John Keim.

Gruice was removed from the injured reserve list, the team announced on Thursday. It was his second time on IR in as many seasons, after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in the season-opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Since Bill Callahan being named interim head coach, Peterson has 383 yards in four games compared to the 108 yards in the prior four with former coach Jay Gruden.

RELATED: Trent Williams Placed On NFI Has Significant Financial Ramifications

The 34-year-old Peterson, ranked sixth all-time on the rushing leaderboard, is under contract through 2020.

Washington has a bye this week before hosting New York Jets in week 11.

2019-11-07

Blake Griffin Listed As Day-to-Day After Being Cleared

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Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Detroit Pistons (4-5) forward Blake Griffin has been cleared to participate in basketball activities, the team announced on Thursday, via ESPN.

After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April, Griffin has missed the start of the 2019-20 season with soreness in the hamstring and knee. The team has officially listed him day-to-day.

"They're [Griffin and Derrick Rose] both working hard, getting closer," coach Dwane Casey said, via Detroit Free Press. "Not going to put a timetable on it but they're both getting closer."

The 8th ranked Pistons in the Eastern Conference travel to Indiana Pacers (4-4) on Friday.

Trent Williams Placed On NFI Has Significant Financial Ramifications

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Mark Tenally, AP
NFL All-Pro Trent Williams has been placed on the NFI list, Washington Redskins announced on Thursday.

The team placing Williams on the non-football injury list subsequently shuts him down this season, a week after ending his holdout. It has significant financial ramifications for Williams, the team asserts the injury occurred away from the football field, thus voiding his remaining eligible base salary worth nearly $6M, per Sportstrac.

The team plans to trade Williams in the offseason, ESPN's John Keim reported on Thursday. He was reportedly shopped ahead of the league's trade deadline, however, many teams were unsure of his medical status after concerns expressed about team doctors by Williams.

The NFL Players Association had no comment on Williams' placement on NFI, nbcsports.com reports.

Last week, Williams, 31-years-old, revealed he had a cancerous tumor removed from his skull, saying he “was told scary things,” by team doctors.

Williams missed OTAs, training camp and holding out much of the season, costing him over $7M in fines, incentives, and salary, according to Keim.

Considered one of the league's top tackles, Williams will enter 2020 in his final year of a five-year contract with Washington that’s worth over $12.5M in non-guarantee money. The deal dwarfs top-earning tackle Trenton Brown, Oakland Raiders, worth $16.5M, per year.

The NFLPA said a statement, via ESPN, that Williams was a victim of a ‘misinformation' campaign by the league-owned television network.

NFLPA asked to have a review of medical records.

However, Williams declined asking them to not assist in a joint medical review by the team saying he’d like to "move on," Washington Post reported.

"In our multiple conversations with Trent and his agent, we have considered various options based on the facts, but we also understand that Trent wants to put this all behind him, not relive a painful experience when his life was in danger and move on with his career," NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said.

Williams will be an unrestricted free agent in 2021.

2019-11-06

Joe Mixon 'Frustrated' By Bengals Inability To Run Ball

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 John Grieshop/Getty Images
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon is ‘frustrated' by the team's running ability or lack thereof, only totaling 476 yards of rushing through eight games.

Bengals' first-year head coach Zac Taylor, hoping to kickstart the offense, benched veteran play-caller Andy Dalton in favor of rookie quarterback Ryan Finley over the bye week. The team Is winless after going 6-10 last season under Marvin Lewis.

Mixon, coming off a 1,168-yard performance in 2018, entered the season with expectations of being the league rushing leader. Afterall, Los Angeles Rams' offense ranked third in rushing yards under the direction of then-offensive coordinator Taylor.

“Everybody knows that I’m frustrated. Who wouldn’t be frustrated? I feel like I should be putting up way better numbers than what I’m putting up toght now,” Mixon said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Mixon has only 320 yards this season, averaging on 3.2 yards per carry.

 “To go from first in the AFC in rushing and s–t, we’re probably last right now in the AFC. It’s embarrassing to me. That’s not my expectation and it shouldn’t be anybody else’s expectation. I’m not complacent to what the hell is going on. I’m frustrated. Everybody knows that I’m frustrated, but the coaches are frustrated, too. We are all frustrated.”

The offense has struggled under Taylor ranking 29th in pts per game, 25th in yards per game and a league-worst 32nd in rushing yards per game.

Bengals host division rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.



Sterling Shepard's Entry Into Protocol Casts Doubt About Return

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Al Bello/Getty Images
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard’s concussion appears more serious than first thought after returning to the league’s concussion protocol.

Shepard, cleared by an independent neurologist on Friday, met with New York Giants' medical staff on Saturday after not feeling well in the morning. He subsequently returned to the protocol, casting doubt about his return this season.

“This is a serious injury, and in my mind it requires a serious response, ” head coach Pat Shurmur said following the loss against Dallas Cowboys, via NJ.com.

The fourth-year veteran’s status for Sunday's game against New York Jets is questionable at best but in serious doubt. He sat out practice on Wednesday.

"We want to make sure he's well when he goes back out there," Shurmur added. "We need to be very deliberate about guys coming back from injuries such as this. They certainly go through the [concussion] protocol, but there's also the [practice] activity and how they respond to it. At some point, we've got to use our gut."

Shepard has missed five games this season due to concussion-related symptoms.

WATCH: Sterling Shepard Highlights 2015 || "No Miracles" ᴴᴰ || Oklahoma WR

Blake Griffin's Status Will Be Re-Evaluated on Wednesday

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Leon Halip/Getty Images
Forward Blake Griffin's season debut will have to wait another day.

Griffin has been ruled out when Detroit Pistons (3-4) host New York Knicks (1-6) on Wednesday. He’ll return when they ‘give me the green light,’ Griffin told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The Pistons have anticipated Griffin being unavailable until early November after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April. The team plans to re-evaluate Griffin's status on Wednesday after rehabbing from soreness in his knee and hamstring, Charania reported.

“I feel great and I’m ready to go whenever they give me the green light,” Griffin said The Athletic. 
“I’m close, very close. The training staff tells me it’s one day at a time. They tell me what I’m doing the next day, and that’s it, because they know I’d go crazy if I have a timetable.”

The 30-year-old averaged 45.5 points, 7.5 rebounds in 75 games with the Pistons last season. It was his first 70-plus game campaign in five seasons.

WATCH: Steph Curry-Blake Griffin Duel in 2008 Davidson-Oklahoma Game

2019-11-05

Bob Stoops, FSU Haven't Talked About Vacancy

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Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops isn’t a candidate for the vacant Florida State head coaching position, ESPN College Football analyst Kirk Herbstreit tweeted after multiple reports linked him to the job.

“Any report that he’s a candidate for the FSU job are not accurate,” Herbstreit tweeted after speaking to Stoops on Tuesday morning. “[Stoops] hadn’t spoken to anyone,” added Herbstreit.

Florida State athletic director David Coburn fired Willie Taggart on Sunday after posting a 9-12 record in less than two seasons.

Stoops, FSU were reportedly nearing a deal on Monday night that could be finalized by end of the week, according to WTXL.

However, Coburn didn't confirm nor deny the report saying, "he’s on the list, and he’s certainly somebody we would consider," Wayne McGahee III of Tallahassee Democrat reported on Tuesday.

McGahee added that multiple sources said Stoops “is the top target for FSU.”

Stoops' younger brother, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops, Florida Atlantic University Lane Kiffin have also been linked to the opening.

Stoops is the current head coach of Dallas Renegades of the XFL, whose season kicks off in February of 2020.




2019-11-04

WR Sterling Shepard Returns to Concussion Protocol

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Brad Penner/Associated Press
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard re-entered league’s concussion protocol, the team announced on Sunday.

Shepard was previously cleared by an independent neurologist on Friday to play against Dallas Cowboys in tonight's Monday Night Football contest.

“He practiced fully this week and was limited with no contact the two weeks before that,” said Giants coach Pat Schumer via the team's official website. “He told (Sr. VP Medical Services/Head Athletic Trainer) Ronnie (Barnes) last evening (Saturday) he didn’t feel well and was sent for examination and evaluation. When he arrived for work this morning, he still did not feel well. At that point, the decision was made to continue in the concussion protocol.”

The fourth-year veteran has missed much of the season due to concussions --- missing the previous three games after suffering a concussion in week five against the Minnesota Vikings. In the season opener, Shepard suffered concussion-like symptoms against the Cowboys resulting in him missing a game.

Shepard has recorded 25 receptions for 267 yards and a touchdown in four games.

WATCH: Sterling Shepard Highlights 2015 || "No Miracles" ᴴᴰ || Oklahoma WR