April 2017 - Football Wiretap

Danny Trevathan Suspended Two Games For Hit On Davante Adams

Oct 2, 2017 12:53 PM

The NFL has suspended Danny Trevathan for two games without pay for his hit on Davante Adams.

The NFL said Trevathan violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 6: "There shall be no unnecessary roughness. This shall include, but will not be limited to: (i) using any part of a player's helmet or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently on unnecessarily."

Adams was taken off the field on a stretcher.

Trevathan was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty but was not ejected from the 35-14 Bears loss.

"I regret the level I hit him at," Trevathan said after the game. "But you got to understand I had momentum, and I was just trying to make a play."

ESPN

Tags: Chicago Bears, Suspension

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Ty Montgomery May Play Week 5 Despite Rib Injury

Oct 2, 2017 12:53 PM

Ty Montgomery is listed as day-to-day with a rib injury and could play in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Montgomery was off to a strong start with 28 yards on five carries in the first six plays from scrimmage before he left in the first quarter with the injury.

The Packers had said Montgomery had suffered broken ribs.

"Really, every injury is different," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Friday. "We're talking about injuries that the specifics of it are different, where exactly it's located, type of equipment and definitely the position that you play. I really don't have a clear answer on exactly what Ty is dealing with and how he can move forward. I know today the conversation with the trainers, as far as his conversation with the trainers, he's preparing to get ready to play in Dallas. That's really what this weekend is for. Tuesday we'll really get our hands around it, and obviously, we'll get you the injury information on Wednesday."

ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers, Fantasy, Injury

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Delanie Walker, Family Have Received Death Threats

Sep 29, 2017 8:03 AM

Delanie Walker says he and his family have received death threats since he told fans who didn't agree with the Tennessee Titans' protest during the national anthem that they were welcome to not watch the team's games.

Walker posted a photo on Instagram of him with the military during a USO tour this spring. He reiterated his belief that sitting out the anthem last week did not disrespect those who have served in the military.

"The death threats that my family and I have received since my comments are heartbreaking," Walker wrote. "The racist and violent words directed at me and my son only serve as another reminder that our country remains divided and full of hateful rhetoric. These words of hate will only fuel me in my efforts to continue my work reaching out to different community groups, listening to opposing voices, and honoring the men and women in the Armed Forces who risk their lives every day so that we may have this dialogue.

"I am proud to represent the many faces of Titans fans and believe that only through a more respectful discourse can we achieves the goals of unity, peace and racial equality that I know we all strive for."

The Titans said they've received death threats on the team's social media accounts as well.

Darin Gantt/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Tennessee Titans, Misc Rumor

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Bears Evaluating Everything, Including Quarterback

Sep 30, 2017 1:14 PM

The Chicago Bears are evaluating the roster top-to-bottom following Thursday night's 35-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Mike Glennon had four turnovers and John Fox admitted that the quarterback position will be discussed.

"We need to make a lot of changes," Fox said. "We will evaluate everything, and we've got a lot of work to do before we line up against Minnesota on [Oct. 9]. We are going to look at everything."

Fox, however, refused to attribute all of Chicago's issues to Glennon.

"I don't think all of those were Mike's turnovers," he said. "Again, there are a lot of people out there that are involved. We had dropped balls. We had penalties. There was plenty of stuff to pass around.

"I think we evaluate every day. It's not going to be a new novelty; it's just that obviously we have to fix some things on our football team. We are 1-3 to start the season. Not just the quarterback. Everybody wants to talk about the quarterback. We have more issues than the quarterback."

Jeff Dickerson/ESPN

Tags: Chicago Bears, Misc Rumor

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Saquon Barkley Climbs To No. 2 On Mel Kiper's 2018 Big Board

Sep 30, 2017 11:41 AM

Sam Darnold remains No. 1 on the latest Big Board of Mel Kiper Jr. for the 2018 NFL Draft but Penn State running back Saquon Barkley has moved up to No. 2.

Josh Rosen of UCLA ranks third, followed by Josh Allen of Wyoming and Florida State safety Derwin James.

Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, LSU outside linebacker Arden Key, LSU running back Derrius Guice and Boston College outside linebacker Harold Landry round out the top-10.

Top-25
1. Sam Darnold, QB, USC
2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
3. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
4. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
5. Derwin James, S, Florida State
6. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
7. Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
8. Arden Key, OLB, LSU
9. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
10. Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
11. Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
12. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
13. Connor Williams, OT, Texas
14. Christian Kirk WR, Texas A&M
15. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
16. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
17. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
18. Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech
19. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
20. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
21. Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
22. Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
23. Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
24. Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
25. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

Mel Kiper Jr./ESPN

Tags: Draft, Draft Misc, NCAA

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O.J. Simpson Could Be Released From Prison As Soon As Monday

Sep 28, 2017 8:22 AM

O.J. Simpson could be released from prison as soon as Monday.

A decision in July approved parole for Simpson on or after October 1.

Simpson has spent nine years behind bars after a failed effort to reclaim memorabilia that had been stolen from him.

CBS News

Tags: Misc Rumor

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Eric Reid: Colin Kaepernick's Message Has Been Lost

Sep 28, 2017 8:19 AM

Eric Reid believes the initial message he and Colin Kaepernick tried to send by kneeling during the national anthem as a silent protest of racial inequality last year has been lost in translation.

Nearly every NFL team has had players participating in some form of protest on the heels of Donald Trump's comments about players kneeling during the anthem.

"He thinks that [the weekend's protest] was a direct response to, obviously, what the president said," Reid said.

"[Kaepernick] wishes that this many people were involved last year. I don't think the narrative would have went in as many directions as it went if we had more solidarity. We could have focused in on these issues, but we have got to be pragmatic about it. We have this opportunity now, and it's important that we discuss the issues and make changes."

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor

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Deshaun Watson Donates First Game Check To Texans' Cafeteria Employees

Sep 27, 2017 7:23 PM

Deshaun Watson donated his first NFL game check to three NRG Stadium cafeteria employees who were impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

“Anything else ya’ll need, I’m always here to help,” said Watson.

Watson became the Houston Texans' starting quarterback after Week 1.

Alysha Tsuji/For The Win

Tags: Houston Texans

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Jaguars Believe T.J. Yeldon Still Has Future With Team

Sep 27, 2017 3:42 PM

T.J. Yeldon has been a healthy inactive for the Jacksonville Jaguars over the past two weeks, but the team insists they haven't moved on from him.

Yeldon was a second round pick by the Jaguars in 2015.

“We love T.J.,” Doug Marrone said. “We think he’s an outstanding football player. Right now we feel that the guys there [at running back] are doing well and what’s difficult is if we did have more spots on game day, we would put him up there. There’s no doubt about that.

“But it’s very difficult with what we’re trying to accomplish from the standpoint of all three phases to get a jersey on him right now. But the minute that we do have an opportunity where it’s not going to affect any of those three phases or maybe we need it more offensively -- might be a game-plan situation where we want more backs up that week -- we have no issue at all bringing him up.”

The Jaguars had four running backs active each week: Leonard Fournette, Chris Ivory, Corey Grant and fullback Tommy Bohanon.

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Tags: Jacksonville Jaguars, Misc Rumor

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CFL Won't Register Johnny Manziel Until 2018

Sep 27, 2017 11:24 AM

The Canadian Football League will not register the contract of Johnny Manziel  with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats until 2018.

“After an extensive process of due diligence and an in-person meeting with Mr. Manziel, the Commissioner has decided that he will not register any contract for Mr. Manziel for this season. However, Mr. Manziel will be eligible to sign a contract for the 2018 season and, if Mr. Manziel meets certain conditions that have been spelled out by the Commissioner, the CFL will register that contract.  The specifics of those conditions are confidential and will not be disclosed. The CFL has extended the stay on the expiry of the 10-day window for Mr. Manziel until Nov. 30, 2017 and therefore Mr. Manziel will remain on Hamilton’s negotiation list until that date.”

Manziel last played competitive football in 2015.

CFL.ca

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Justin Timberlake Finalizing Deal To Perform At Super Bowl
Justin Timberlake is finalizing a deal to perform at the Super Bowl in Minneapolis on February 4th.

Us Weekly

Andrew Luck Will Play If Healthy Regardless Of Colts' Record
The Colts are 1-2 this season and have appeared to be one of the NFL's worst teams.

Mike Wells/ESPN

Eagles Use Analytics Team To Help In-Game Decisions
The Eagles are believed to be one of about 12 teams relaying analytical information to coaches during the game.

Tim McManus/ESPN

Carson Wentz Offered Jake Elliott Game Check Before GW FG
Jake Elliott kicked the Eagles to a dramatic win over the Giants on Sunday with a 61-yard, game-winning field goal and may have earned himself some extra money in the process.

Dan Hanzus/NFL

Packers Asking Fans To Link Arms During Anthem
The Packers are asking fans at Lambeau Field for Thursday night's game against the Bears to join them in linking arms during the national anthem.

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

DirecTV Offering Sunday Ticket Refunds Amid Protests
DirecTV is offering refunds for fans who want to cancel their NFL Sunday Ticket package, if they are doing so due to the recent protests during the national anthem, according to a source.

Darren Rovell/ESPN

Raiders Likely To Play In Oakland Through 2020
The Raiders are negotiating to remain in Oakland through 2020.

Kimberly Veklerov/San Francisco Chronicle

Doctors Make Breakthrough Towards Diagnosing CTE In Living Person
CTE studies have only been possible on deceased people.

Rick Maese/Washington Post

Eagles To Give Bigger Role To Wendell Smallwood Without Sproles
Wendell Smallwood had 12 carries for 71 yards in Week 3.

Tim McManus/ESPN

Jordan Howard: Bears Don't Have Quarterback Controversy
Mike Glennon hasn't been effective through three games, but that doesn't mean the Bears will soon have a quarterback controversy.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Chiefs Aren't Concerned About Overworking Kareem Hunt
Kareem Hunt is on pace for 299 touches, but the Chiefs aren't concerned about overworking the rookie running back.

Kansas City Star

Carson Palmer Fourth QB To Throw 100 TDs With Two Teams
Carson Palmer connected with Larry Fitzgerald on Monday night for his 100th touchdown pass as a member of the Cardinals.

Josh Weinfuss/ESPN

Jerry Jones Kneels With Cowboys Before Anthem
The Cowboys knelt together before the flag of the United States was unfurled but stood and walked to the sideline for the national anthem

Dallas Morning News

Roger Goodell 'Proud' Of How NFL Reacted To Trump's Comments
Roger Goodell monitored the protests during anthems across the NFL.

Peter King/Sports Illustrated

Falcons Not Concerned By Julio Jones' Back Injury
Julio Jones suffered the injury on the Falcons' last offensive play of Sunday's 30-26 win over the Lions.

Vaughn McClure/ESPN

Darren Sproles Suffers Torn ACL, Broken Arm On Same Play
Darren Sproles is having surgery on his arm Monday and will require surgery on his knee.

Chris Mortensen, Adam Schefter/ESPN

Derek Carr Wants All Blame For Oakland's Loss
Derek Carr wants to take all the blame for Oakland's 27-10 loss to Washington on Sunday night.

NBC Sports Bay Area

Steelers Surprised By Alejandro Villanueva's Appearance During Anthem
Many members of the Steelers were surprised to see Alejandro Villanueva emerge from the Soldier Field tunnel during Sunday's national anthem, according to a source.

Jeremy Fowler/ESPN

Jim Caldwell Signs Extension With Lions
Jim Caldwell had been in the final year of his contract.

Michael Rothstein/ESPN

NFL Responds To 'Divisive' Comments From Donald Trump
Roger Goodell released a statement in response to comments from Donald Trump about the state of the NFL regarding player protests and the physical nature of the game.

USA Today