LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[October 20, 2016] Oct 19 (The Sports Xchange) - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wasn't interested in making excuses on Wednesday as he addressed the league's dip in the television ratings during the first few weeks of the 2016 season.

"It's something that I don't think there's a single reason for," Goodell said at the fall owners' meeting in Houston. "But we also know that the prime-time ratings we're seeing the most dramatic decrease ... We don't make excuses, we look at it and we try and figure out what's changing."

Goodell noted that the way people consume their media has played a role, and he contends that he's being more proactive in that regard.

"It's why we've been doing more with Snapchat and YouTube and others. And it's why we did our work with Yahoo last year ... We're seeing these changes," he said.

Asked if the national anthem protest is turning people off and was reflected in the ratings, Goodell said, "We don't think that's a factor and neither do our network partners."

- - -

Tony Romo awaits medical clearance to practice with the Dallas Cowboys, meaning the team will start Dak Prescott after their bye week.

Dallas hosts the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 30 in Week 8.

Dallas is off this week and at 5-1 has control of the NFC East behind Prescott, the rookie fourth-round pick who has surprised even his strongest supporters in Dallas. The fourth-round pick set a record for passes without an interception and threw his first Sunday at Green Bay in his sixth career start.

- - -

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, already ruled out against the New England Patriots on Sunday, may be out much longer than one game.

Roethlisberger could miss four to six weeks after having surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Wednesday.

Roethlisberger originally was told to expect to miss two to three weeks. Landry Jones will get the start in place of Roethlisberger against the Patriots.

- - -

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been fined $75,000 by the NFL for his unnecessary roughness in Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.

Burfict has already appealed the punishment, according to multiple reports Wednesday. Burfict was fined by the NFL for an alleged stomp on Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount but he was not disciplined or fined for a controversial low hit on tight end Martellus Bennett during the same game.

- - -

The New York Jets named Geno Smith as the starting quarterback over struggling Ryan Fitzpatrick for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Smith will make his first start since Dec. 28, 2014 for the Jets, who are 1-5 and on a four-game losing streak.

Jets coach Todd Bowles initially said Fitzpatrick would retain his starting position after being benched in favor of Smith in the fourth quarter of the embarrassing 28-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. Bowles backtracked Tuesday.

- - -

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco did not practice Wednesday with a right shoulder injury, but he expects to play Sunday against the New York Jets.

A final determination might not be made until as late as Saturday.

[to top of second column]

Flacco has irritation in the joint of his throwing shoulder, a league source told ESPN's Ed Werder.

- - -

The NFL and NFL Players Association issued a joint statement in regard to their investigations into whether the concussion protocol was followed correctly when evaluating Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in the season opener against the Denver Broncos.

Newton was slow to get to his feet after he was on the receiving end of a helmet-to-helmet hit by Broncos safety Darian Stewart in the fourth quarter. The reigning NFL MVP, however, did not leave the field to be evaluated for a possible concussion.

According to the investigation, Panthers team doctors and the unaffiliated neuro-trauma (UNC) consultant on the sideline asked the independent certified athletic trainer (ATC) to see video of the play because they didn't have a clear view.

- - -

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy left Wednesday's practice because of a hamstring injury.

The severity of the injury and McCoy's availability for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins is not yet known.

McCoy's 587 rushing yards rank second in the NFL this season and his 5.6 yards per carry is tops in the league.

- - -

The Atlanta Falcons released veteran safety Dashon Goldson and signed defensive lineman Cliff Matthews to their roster.

The Goldson move came one day after the Falcons promoted safety Sharrod Neasman from the practice squad to the active roster.

- - -

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after a breakout game on Sunday when he caught eight passes for a career-best 222 yards and touchdowns that covered 75 and 66 yards.

Beckham, who had to leave the field in the first half with a hip pointer, turned a short fourth-and-1 pass into a winning 66-yard catch and run with 1:24 to play as the Giants beat the Baltimore Ravens 27-23.

Other weekly award winners were Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi, New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower, Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving, San Diego Chargers rookie punter Drew Kaser and New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Wil Lutz.

- - -

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers promoted wide receiver Donteea Dye from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Bucs also signed running back Russell Hansbrough to the practice squad.

- - -

The Indianapolis Colts signed defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles to their practice squad.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Quarles spent time on the Colts' practice squad earlier this season. (Editing by Andrew Both)

Back to top