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NFL notebook: Jaguars change QB, OC

[November 27, 2018] The Jacksonville Jaguars benched quarterback Blake Bortles and fired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett on Monday.

Head coach Doug Marrone said Cody Kessler will start at quarterback, and QBs coach Scott Milanovich will call plays on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Kessler threw for 156 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his lone appearance this season, while Milanovich is in his second season in the NFL after 14 years between NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.

"We're just not getting the production or the consistency that we needed in the passing game," Marrone said.

Bortles has averaged 211 passing yards per game with six touchdowns, seven interceptions, six fumbles and a rating of 73.9 during the Jaguars' seven-game losing streak. Hackett was promoted to offensive coordinator midway through the 2016 season after previously being quarterbacks coach.

--The NFL suspended Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette for one game without pay for violating league rules on unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness.

Fournette and Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson were ejected from the Sunday game after a brawl between the teams late in the third quarter. Both players threw multiple punches at each other in a melee on the sideline outside the end zone.

No discipline for Lawson -- who, unlike Fournette, began the play that led to the fracas on the field -- was mentioned. Fournette is expected to appeal the suspension.

--Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh remained noncommittal about his quarterback situation but told reporters that "everything is on the table."

Harbaugh did not rule out the possibility of using both Lamar Jackson and Joe Flacco for extended stretches moving forward.

Flacco saw a doctor Monday about his hip injury. Harbaugh confirmed that Flacco's absence Sunday was purely health-related.

--Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton was placed on injured reserve with ligament damage in his right thumb that will likely require surgery.

Dalton was injured in the third quarter of Cincinnati's 35-20 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Jeff Driskel, who replaced Dalton and completed 17 of 29 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown, is likely to start this week against the Denver Broncos.

--Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is week-to-week due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

Gordon could miss two to four weeks, casting doubt on his availability for a Sunday night showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

--Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Jones has been sidelined since Nov. 11 with a knee injury. He had 35 catches for 508 yards and five touchdowns in 2018.

--Los Angeles Rams cornerback Aqib Talib was designated to return from injured reserve, clearing him to practice.

Coach Sean McVay said Talib could play Sunday against the Lions, depending on how his ankle responds to practice.

--Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes escaped with a minor hamstring injury Sunday night.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) eyes the pass rush of Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) during the fourth quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

"Thankfully it's very, very mild," coach Mike Zimmer said, though he did not offer specifics.

--Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said the team "doesn't know for sure yet" if left tackle Tyron Smith and right guard Zack Martin will play Thursday against the New Orleans Saints.

Smith (stinger, elbow) did not practice Sunday or Monday. Martin (knee) and Xavier Su'a-Filo (ankle) were on the field Monday.

--Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle was placed on injured reserve with a kidney injury that required a procedure at an Indianapolis-area hospital on Sunday night.

Coach Frank Reich told reporters Monday afternoon Doyle remained hospitalized, but that his prognosis is good and he should be released "soon."

--Denver Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman is out for the season after breaking three ribs and bruising a lung Sunday.

Coach Vance Joseph also announced linebacker Shaquil Barrett (hip) is week-to-week.

--The New England Patriots activated running back Rex Burkhead from injured reserve.

Burkhead, 28, went on IR after Week 3 with a neck injury, but he is eligible to play Sunday against the Vikings.

--Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees was back with the team when Tennessee faced the Houston Texans on Monday night.

Pees was hospitalized during last week's game against the Colts. The 69-year-old retired after the 2017 season but joined the Titans when Mike Vrabel was named head coach.

--The Arizona Cardinals released right tackle Andre Smith and cornerback Bene Benwikere and placed linebacker Josh Bynes (thumb) and kicker Phil Dawson (hip) on injured reserve.

--Former San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith entered no-contest pleas to two misdemeanor domestic violence charges, according to a report.

Smith, 29, received a sentence of 90 days in jail and received credit for time served in a residential treatment center. He also was sentenced to three years' probation, one year of domestic violence counseling and 25 hours of community service.

--Field Level Media

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