LDN - Sports

NFL notebook: Steelers WR coach Drake dies at 62

[August 12, 2019] The Pittsburgh Steelers are mourning the loss of wide receivers coach Darryl Drake, who died Sunday morning.

Drake, who joined the Steelers in 2018, was 62. No information about the cause of his death was available.

Team owner Art Rooney issued a statement honoring Drake on Sunday morning.

"We are at a loss for words following Darryl Drake's passing this morning," it begins. "Darryl had such an impact on the players he coached and everyone he worked with throughout his entire career. He was a passionate coach and had a tremendous spirit toward life, his family, his faith and the game of football."

--The New York Jets were forced to find a replacement after kicker Chandler Catanzaro announced his retirement.

The 28-year-old Catanzaro missed two of three extra point tries in the Jets' preseason opener on Thursday. He was the only kicker in camp, so the Jets signed free agent Taylor Bertolet after a tryout.

Catanzaro entered the league with the Arizona Cardinals in 2014 and spent three seasons there. He spent the next season with the Jets before splitting the 2018 between with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.

--Ron Minegar, the executive vice president and COO of the Arizona Cardinals, was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

"Ron Minegar's actions last night are inexcusable," the team said in a statement. "He made the decision to drive after drinking alcohol and is fortunate that he was pulled over before injuring anyone or himself. According to MADD, drunk driving results in almost 11,000 deaths per year and is the number one cause of fatalities on roadways. We fully recognize the seriousness of these actions and they will have serious consequences."

It is the second straight summer that a Cardinals executive has been arrested on a drunk-driving charge. Last July, the team suspended general manager Steve Keim for five weeks and fined him $200,000 after he entered a guilty plea to extreme DUI.

--The Baltimore Ravens traded kicker/punter Kaare Vedvik to the Minnesota Vikings.

The Ravens said they are receiving an "undisclosed draft pick" in exchange. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported it was a 2020 fifth-round pick.

Several teams had contacted the Ravens about Vedvik after the 25-year-old Norwegian drilled four field goals, including a 55-yarder, in Thursday's preseason opener against Jacksonville. Baltimore already has Justin Tucker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Dan Bailey is currently the kicker in Minnesota.

--Denver Broncos running back Theo Riddick will be out six to eight weeks with a slight shoulder fracture, according to a report.

Mike Kils of 9News in Denver said Riddick sustained the injury Thursday in the Broncos' preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. He said surgery won't be required.

[to top of second column]

Detailed view of NFL110th Anniversary logo on the field during Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos signed Riddick to a one-year deal for $2.5 million, with $1 million guaranteed, just a week ago after the Detroit Lions released him.

--New York Jets cornerback Trumaine Johnson injured a hamstring in practice and will be sidelined indefinitely.

The 29-year-old veteran apparently suffered the injury on a long interception return.

"Anytime a guy that makes a living has a hamstring ... we'll see how it goes," coach Adam Gase said, per ESPN. "He's going to have to get a lot of treatment and strengthen it up, and we'll get him back as fast as possible."

--San Francisco 49ers tackle Shon Coleman had surgery to repair a broken fibula and dislocated ankle suffered in Saturday's preseason opener against Dallas.

Coleman, 27, was injured in the first quarter and left the game on a cart with an air cast around his lower right leg.

A third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2016, Coleman was traded to the 49ers in August 2018. He appeared in 23 games for the Browns, including 16 starts in 2017, and was expected to be the 49ers' swing tackle behind starters Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey this season.

--The Cardinals activated tight end Charles Clay and cornerback Brandon Williams from the physically unable to perform list.

Clay was sidelined with a knee injury and Williams has been dealing with a back issue. The moves leave only offensive lineman Max Garcia (knee) on Arizona's PUP list.

Clay, 30, signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals in February after four seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2011-14) and four with the Buffalo Bills (2015-18). He caught 21 passes for 184 yards in 13 games in 2018 and has 339 career receptions for 3,631 yards and 23 touchdowns in 112 games.

--The Cleveland Browns signed tight end Rico Gathers and released tight end/fullback Orson Charles.

The Dallas Cowboys, who selected Gathers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, waived him earlier this week.

Gathers played college basketball at Baylor, and the Cowboys drafted him in hopes he'd become the next Antonio Gates, who turned into an All-Pro with the Chargers franchise after a basketball career at Kent State. But in three years in Dallas, Gathers caught just three passes for 45 yards.

--Field Level Media

Back to top