National Football
League roundup

[December 10, 2016]   Dec 9 (The Sports Xchange) - The NFL announced Friday it is committed to playing four regular-season games in London in 2017.

The league played three games in London to sellout crowds in each season since 2014, but commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL plans to continue growing the game in England.

"We continue to be incredibly excited by the passion and love for the NFL shown by our millions of UK fans," Goodell said in a statement.

Teams and venues for 2017 will be announced on Tuesday.

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Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall was the recipient of a letter filled with racial slurs and threatening language, likely prompted by his recently concluded stance of not standing for the national anthem.

Marshall posted photos of the letter on his Instagram account on Friday and said it represents an example of why he took a stance against social injustice. He said he received the letter two weeks ago.

The letter is filled with racist remarks and contains the threat, "your time is coming, watch out (expletive!)"

The Broncos' security staff is investigating the letter.

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Carolina Panthers star middle linebacker Luke Kuechly will play against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday as long he gets cleared from the NFL concussion protocol, coach Ron Rivera said.

Kuechly missed the past two games after suffering a concussion against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 17. He was a full participant in Friday's practice and is slated to meet with the medical stuff on Saturday.

Two other Panthers, strong safety Kurt Coleman and cornerback Daryl Worley, also are hoping of being cleared from the concussion protocol on Saturday.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who is dealing with turf toe, will be a game-time decision for Sunday's road game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Jones was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report and did not practice all week.

Jones participated in walkthroughs and jogged through some light drills without a helmet at the start of Friday's practice, according to ESPN.com. Falcons coach Dan Quinn anticipates Jones will play Sunday.

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The Arizona Cardinals ruled out safety Tyrann Mathieu out for Sunday's game at the Miami Dolphins due to a lingering shoulder injury.

Mathieu will miss his second straight game, six weeks after suffering a shoulder subluxation against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 30.

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Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian was listed as questionable on the injury report, leaving his availability uncertain for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.

Siemian is recovering from a foot injury. Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said a decision regarding Siemian might be made on Saturday.

Siemian missed last Sunday's contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to the ailment and rookie Paxton Lynch started in his place.

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New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $12,154 by the NFL for unleashing verbal abuse and excessive profanity toward an official.

Beckham reportedly confronted an official on the field shortly after Sunday's 24-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The fine is at least the fifth of the season for Beckham. According to ESPN.com, the amount of Beckham's fines are at least $108,926.

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The New England Patriots signed wide receiver/returner Griff Whalen on Friday to help fill the void created by Danny Amendola's ankle injury.

Amendola is not expected to be available for Monday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

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The Cincinnati Bengals, as expected, ruled out wide receiver A.J. Green for Sunday's game at the Cleveland Browns.

Green will miss his third straight game since suffering a strained right hamstring on the second play from scrimmage in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 20.

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The Detroit Lions waived former first-round tight end Brandon Pettigrew after moving him earlier this week from the physically unable to perform list to the non-football injury list.

The team declined to comment on the nature of Pettigrew's condition. Pettigrew, 31, had not played since tearing his ACL in December 2015.

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The NFL suspended Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Jordan Payton four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Payton's suspension without pay is effective immediately.

A fifth-round pick out of UCLA, Payton has seen limited playing time this season.

(Editing by Larry Fine)

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