LDN - Sports

NFL notebook: Still no sign of Steelers RB Bell

[November 01, 2018] Le'Veon Bell did not report to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, the day after the NFL trade deadline passed. He now has forfeited more than $7 million in salary during his holdout.

Bell has two weeks to report and still be eligible to play this season. The hard deadline to report is Nov. 13.

The Steelers began meetings Wednesday with no sign of Bell, meaning running back James Conner remains the primary back in Pittsburgh. He had 212 yards from scrimmage on Sunday and has at least 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns in three consecutive games.

Bell would have been required to report Tuesday and sign his one-year franchise tender with the Steelers in order to be traded. Since he didn't join the team and remains a holdout, Bell could not be traded. If he does report, he can only play for the Steelers unless they rescind the franchise tag.

--Baker Mayfield said that if he were general manager of the Cleveland Browns, he would have drafted Patrick Mahomes No. 1 overall in 2017 instead of the player they selected, his teammate, Myles Garrett.

"Talent wise, I thought he should have been. I love Myles but ..." Mayfield said with a laugh. "Coming from the Texas Tech system, there are always your skeptics, people doubting the fact that all he did was sit back there and throw the ball. (Mahomes) threw it 88 times in our game (a 66-59 Oklahoma victory over Texas Tech in 2016), but when it comes down to it, throwing the ball is throwing the ball, and he's really good at it."

Mahomes, who visits Cleveland with the Kansas City Chiefs this week, was never considered a contender to go first overall in 2017, and the Browns took defensive end Garrett. Mahomes went 10th to the Chiefs after they traded up, and Cleveland took Mayfield No. 1 overall this year.

--Quarterback Matt Barkley signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills as the possible backup to Nathan Peterman in the continuing QB carousel there.

Barkley could be forced into the No. 2 role this week against the Chicago Bears. Nathan Peterman is scheduled to start with rookie first-round pick Josh Allen injured and veteran Derek Anderson also hurt. Anderson started the past two games ahead of Peterman, but he left Monday's loss to the New England Patriots with an arm injury and is now in the concussion protocol. Coach Sean McDermott did not rule out Anderson making it back to face the Bears.

Barkley, 28, and punter Colton Schmidt were officially added to the roster. Running back Taiwan Jones (neck) and punter Corey Bojorquez (shoulder) were placed on injured reserve.

--The Jacksonville Jaguars signed quarterback Landry Jones as insurance for starter Blake Bortles, who is dealing with a left shoulder injury but is expected to start against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10.

Bortles, who is right-handed, would be making his 70th consecutive start.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Jones was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in September after five years as the backup to Ben Roethlisberger.

--The New York Jets and MGM Resorts International announced a multiyear partnership that makes the Las Vegas-based casino the official gaming partner of the club. It is the most comprehensive gaming partnership in the NFL. The announcement comes just two days after MGM announced a sports betting partnership with the NHL. It is similar to deals already struck between MGM and the NBA and WNBA.

The agreement will give Jets fans access to an MGM mobile app, provide season-ticket holders with hospitality opportunities and rewards, and give MGM access to the Jets 360 production studio among other sponsorship exposure and advertising. MGM and other casino companies have been seeking to take advantage of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in May that removed a federal ban on sports betting.

--Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill will miss a fourth consecutive game with a shoulder injury Sunday against the New York Jets, coach Adam Gase said. Gase reiterated that surgery has not been brought up as a potential option, calling Tannehill's recovery "a rest-type thing." He added that Tannehill has been able to throw with trainers while being monitored closely.

Earlier this week, Gase said it was "a question of how much power he can put behind the ball." Tannehill, 30, has thrown for 972 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions in five games this season.

Brock Osweiler, who has thrown for 895 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in three starts, will get the nod for the fourth time on Sunday. The Dolphins beat the Jets 20-12 in the teams' first meeting, in East Rutherford, N.J., in Week 2.

--The New York Giants claimed offensive lineman Jamon Brown off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams.

Brown, 25, was a third-round pick in 2015 and started all 16 games for the Rams last season, but he missed the first four games this year due to a substance-abuse suspension. When he returned, Austin Blythe kept the starting job at right guard, and Brown was waived on Tuesday to make room for trade acquisition Dante Fowler Jr.

--Field Level Media

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