LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[January 19, 2017] Jan 18 (The Sports Xchange) - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who led the top-scoring offense in the NFL with franchise records in passing yards and touchdowns, was selected as the 2016 MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, chosen in voting conducted by the Professional Football Writers of America.

Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack, who had a sack in an NFL record-tying eight consecutive games, was named the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, the PFWA announced Wednesday.

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Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank admits the likelihood of losing offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to the San Francisco 49ers is a "big loss."

The 49ers plan to offer their vacant head-coaching position to Shanahan, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

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The Falcons are exercising caution with All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones, who participated in Wednesday's walkthrough before sitting out practice.

Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said there was "no concern" about Jones' toe injury after the 27-year-old left Saturday's 36-20 divisional-round victory over Seattle. Jones is expected to be limited in practice leading up to Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the visiting Green Bay Packers.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams isn't expected to practice until the weekend as the team prepares for its NFC Championship Game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Adams sat out practice on Wednesday, three days removed from sustaining an ankle injury late in the Packers' divisional-round playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys. He had career highs in receptions (75), yards (997) and touchdowns (12) this season.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan will play in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers despite a thigh injury.

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Hogan left the divisional playoff win over the Houston Texans last week but planned to participate in workouts with the team throughout preparation for the AFC Championship game on Sunday at Foxborough, Mass.

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The Houston Texans are planning to promote linebackers coach Mike Vrabel to defensive coordinator to replace Romeo Crennel, who is expected to stay with the team as assistant head coach, according to multiple reports.

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Baltimore Ravens long snapper Morgan Cox was added to the Pro Bowl roster for the second straight season.

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The Buffalo Bills named Kelly Skipper as their new running backs coach.

Skipper will be tasked with keeping LeSean McCoy and Buffalo's top-ranked rushing attack headed in the right direction. The Bills averaged 164.4 yards on the ground per game last season and 5.3 yards per attempt.

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Pittsburgh Steelers rookie safety Sean Davis told reporters he was fined approximately $24,000 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley last weekend.

Davis plans to appeal the fine for his hit that resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty in Pittsburgh's 18-16 victory over Kansas City in the divisional-round game. (Editing by Frank Pingue)

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