The NFL rejected a submitted trade of A.J. McCarron from the Cincinnati Bengals to the Cleveland Browns.

The Bengals notified the league of the proposed trade at 3:55 p.m. ET, and the Browns notified the league shortly after 4 p.m. ET. Because the Browns were late, the league denied the trade. 

The Browns protested the NFL's decision but it was rejected.

The proposed compensation for McCarron would have been a second- and third-round pick in 2018.

The Bengals also tried to trade McCarron in the offseason.

Joe Mixon didn't have a carry in the second half of the Cincinnati Bengals' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and he wasn't happy afterward.

He was targeted twice in the passing game after halftime.

"It's frustrating. I feel like I'm seeing [Le'Veon Bell] got the ball 35 times, and I got it seven in the first half and then don't touch the ball again," Mixon said. "[Jeremy] Hill only got one touch in the second half. It's frustrating to us running backs. We feel like we're in the room and we feel like we're part of the offense. If it worked in the first half, why not do it in the second?"

Mixon finished with seven carries for 48 yards and three receptions for 20 yards.

"Me personally, I feel like I can do way more than [Bell] did. Like I said, I only had seven carries. I can't showcase nothing if I don't get the ball. There's nothing else I can say," Mixon said.

Tyler Eifert will undergo season-ending back surgery.

Eifert consulted with Dr. Robert Watkins on Wednesday.

Eifert sat out each of the past three games due to the injury.

While a productive tight end, Eifert has struggled to stay healthy during his time in the NFL.

Eifert will be a free agent this offseason.