LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[August 21, 2017] (The Sports Xchange) - Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones continues to be non-specific about star running back Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy over alleged domestic violence against a former girlfriend.

Jones and the Cowboys were blindsided when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handed down Elliott's suspension on Aug. 11. Jones, who earlier this month predicted Elliott would not be suspended, continues to say the second-year running back has the team's support in his fight against the ban, but the owner has yet to criticize the league's decision.

Elliott and the NFL Players Association filed notice of appeal last week, and the hearing is scheduled for Aug. 29. Goodell appointed Harold Henderson as the arbiter to hear Elliott's appeal.

Elliott did not play against the Colts and the team has not announced whether he will play next Saturday against the Oakland Raiders.

- - -

The Cincinnati Bengals terminated the contract of veteran defensive tackle Brandon Thompson on Sunday.

A day after a 30-12 preseason loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the team also cut undrafted rookie running back Boom Williams and wide receiver Karel Hamilton.

Thompson, 27, was the Bengals' third-round pick out of Syracuse in 2012.

- - -

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran running back DuJuan Harris to add depth at the position.

T.J. Yeldon suffered a hamstring injury on Thursday. With Yeldon and Leonard Fournette (foot) sidelined, Harris can help fill a void at running back for the rest of the preseason.

To make room on the roster, the Jags waived injured cornerback Charles Gaines.

- - -

The Buffalo Bills signed tight end Rory Anderson and safety Adrian McDonald.

The 6-foot-5, 244-pound Anderson is a former seventh-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2015. He did not make the 49ers' 53-man roster as a rookie but was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad. By midseason, he landed on the Bears' practice squad/injured list.
[to top of second column]

The 5-9, 190-pound McDonald was an undrafted rookie signing of the San Diego Chargers in 2016. He spent his rookie year on the Chargers' practice squad but was released by the team last week.

To make room for Anderson and McDonald on the roster, the Bills released kicker/punter Austin Rehkow and waived/injured tight end Jason Croom, who was injured against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night in the second preseason game and was seen wearing a walking boot.

- - -

The Minnesota Vikings signed former University of Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner.

The 6-foot-3, 228-pound Leidner joins the Vikings as the team's fifth quarterback after not being selected in this year's draft. He attended the Baltimore Ravens' rookie minicamp but did not sign with the team.

Quarterbacks Sam Bradford, Case Keenum and Taylor Heinicke played against the Seahawks on Friday night. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater remains on the physically unable to perform list after dislocating his left knee and tearing the ACL at the outset of training camp in 2016.

- - -

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed cornerback Mariel Cooper.

The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Cooper originally entered the league as an undrafted college free agent with the Washington Redskins in the 2016 offseason before being waived at the end of that preseason. He played collegiately at The Citadel.

The Bucs also waived running back Quayvon Hicks.

- - -

The Washington Redskins activated tight end Jordan Reed off the active/physically unable to perform list on Sunday.

Reed, who has been sidelined with a sprained toe, is now eligible to return to practice.

Back to top