NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Baker Mayfield cleared after being evaluated for a concussion...

After an injury scare with Tyrod Taylor in the first half, rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield had an injury scare of his own in Thursday night’s game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.

Mayfield was intercepted by Eagles defensive back Avonte Maddox and was twisted to the ground by defensive end Danny Ezechukwu after getting rid of the ball. As he was falling toward the turf, Mayfield’s head collided with tackle Shon Coleman. Mayfield was slightly slow to get to his feet after the collision and was directed into the sideline tent to be evaluated for a concussion.

However, Mayfield was cleared after being administered concussion tests, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

While Mayfield was cleared to return, he did not. Drew Stanton took over for the Browns on their next offensive possession.

The No. 1 overall pick finished the night having completed 8 of 12 passes for 76 yards with the interception by Maddox. (PFT)

 

That might be one of the most deceiving 13-of-17s I've ever seen.

 

UGLY! THANK GOD IT'S PRESEASON and none of this matters.

 

Ravens first-round tight end Hayden Hurst out 3-4 weeks...

The Ravens won’t have first-round rookie tight end Hayden Hurst on the field when they open the season.

That’s the word from Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, who reports that Hurst has a stress fracture in his foot, needs a screw inserted and is expected to miss three or four weeks.

The Ravens took Hurst out of South Carolina with the 25th overall pick in the draft. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder is, at 25, old for a rookie, having played minor league baseball before playing college football.

The Ravens were hoping Hurst would be a big part of their offense this season, and he may still be. But with Baltimore’s first game just 16 days away, it appears Hurst won’t be ready when the season starts. (PFT)

 

Jets sign Charcandrick West...

Charcandrick West didn’t stay unemployed long.

West, the veteran running back who was cut by the Chiefs on Wednesday, signed with the Jets today.

After arriving as an undrafted rookie and playing only sparingly in 2014, West became the Chiefs’ starting running back in 2015. But he saw a lot less playing time in 2016 and was almost totally phased out of the offense last year, so it was no surprise that he didn’t make the Chiefs’ roster this year.

With cutdowns eight days away, West won’t have much time to show he belongs on the Jets’ 53-man roster. But he’ll try to do enough to earn himself a roster spot. (PFT)

 

Browns QB Tyrod Taylor dislocated his left pinky...

Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor returned to Thursday night's preseason game versus the Philadelphia Eagles after an injury scare, but didn't get out completely unscathed.

Browns coach Hue Jackson told reporters Friday that Taylor suffered a dislocated pinky to his non-throwing (left) hand.

In the middle of the first quarter, Taylor rolled out of the pocket on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. He landed with his full-body weight on the wrist, which buckled as he tried to brace his fall. After being examined in the locker room, the veteran returned to the sideline and was back in the tilt to finish up the first half. He went 11-of-16 passing for 65 yards.

In addition to Taylor's injury, No. 4 overall pick Denzel Ward left the game in the first quarter with a back injury which was later determined to be back spasms. The Browns expect the rookie cornerback to miss little, if any time, Jackson said.

Jackson said after the game the X-rays on Taylor's hand were negative.

"Anytime your quarterback gets nicked like that, you're always concerned," Jackson said after the game, via the Akron Beacon Journal. "But I think the fact that he was able to go back in the game, that was a good sign. And I know we'll make sure that we take care of it this week, whatever that is, and get him back to where he needs to be.

"I feel comfortable and confident that he's going to be OK and that we'll have him."

The news of a dislocated pinky should raise eyebrows as to why the team's starting quarterback returned to a preseason game.

However, the injury doesn't appear to affect Taylor's grasp of the starting gig. No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield would be in line to take over if something worse befalls Taylor. (NFL.com)

 

Vikings LB Antwione Williams fined for putting body weight on QB during hit...

When NFL referee Pete Morelli visited the Vikings early this month, he said that the hit by Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr that injured Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers last season would be a penalty for roughing the passer this season.

The reason stems from a change to the wording of the NFL rulebook this year. The rule for roughing the passer bars makes it a penalty to “unnecessarily or violently throw him down or land on top of him with all or most of the defender’s weight.” In the past it said “unnecessarily or violently throw him down and land on top of him.”

One of Barr’s teammates has been fined for violating that rule. Linebacker Antwione Williams was flagged for roughing Jaguars quarterback Cody Kessler in last week’s preseason game and he announced on Twitter in an incredulous tone that he was fined by the league.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media confirmed that it is a $20,054 fine for putting his body weight on Kessler. (PFT)
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That's ridiculous...

 

Tonights Week 3 action...

 

Not if your name is Cody Kessler.

 

If Cody didn't think that was a football play then he's a pansy. I don't understand what Williams was suppose to do there... stop and ask him to take a knee, lol? He text book tackled an NFL QB.

 

Geebus, Will. That was a joke!

 

sorry... my response was tounge in cheek too. My Baddd.

 

Julius Thomas to retire and pursue PhD and CTE studies.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24467174/tight-end-julius-thomas-retiring-study-psychology-cte

 

Soon enough, football will just be a Creative Catch/Run Competition. No defense or tackling. It won't be necessary (or permitted eventually). Honestly, I'd like to see the players protest this in solidarity so the league will drop all this silliness. Anytime a team lines up for a kickoff, the defending team should just take a knee and let the other team score. On the ensuing kickoff, same thing. Just keep doing that for a full 30-60 mins and see how everyone reacts to it. Prior to doing the "protest", the players' union should make an announcement on the matter. The league is fucking this game/sport to death.

 

Browns offered Dez Bryant base deal worth less than $5 million...

The Browns remain interested signing receiver Dez Bryant to a contract, and receiver Dez Bryant remains not interested in signing a contract with the Browns.

Bryant is believed by some to be waiting for a better team. He also could be waiting for a better offer from the Browns. Per a league source, the Browns offered Bryant a deal with a base value of less than $5 million.

It’s not known what Bryant wants; it’s not known whether Bryant himself knows what he wants. For now, thought, he remains content to bide his time, waiting for something. Contending team, better opportunity, more familiar offense, larger salary, or some combination of those or other factors.

He’s in no hurry because he has made plenty of money in his eight NFL seasons. But, as one source explained it, there’s a chance he could sign with a team tomorrow or in two months. Ultimately, it comes down to what he wants to do, and when he wants to do it.

Really, isn’t that the way it should be? As long as he realizes that, with each passing day, it will be harder to make an impact right away, it’s his prerogative to decide when and where and whether to sign. (PFT)
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Still more than he's making right now.

 

Todays NFL action...

 

The Browns have announced they have re-instated WR Josh Gordon this morning. He will participate in team walk throughs as part of "Phase Two" of his path to full contact participation.

Curiously absent in the press release was any mention of a formal league approval by the NFL.

 

Im not saying I agree with the flag or the fine but what gets him in trouble is as they are going to the ground he gives a little extra shove which isn't needed as they are already going to the ground. He is probably lucky it was Kessler he was tackling and not Brady or he might have been suspended for a game ;-)