LDN - Sports

NFL notebook: Dolphins' QB battle 'could go either way'

[August 26, 2019] Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores isn't prepared to name his starting quarterback for the team's season opener.

Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick started Thursday's 22-7 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars and played into the second half before fellow offseason acquisition Josh Rosen flourished in limited time.

"This could go either way. ... I think they're both working hard, both have leadership, both have done a lot of good things," Flores said Sunday. "This will be a hard decision for the staff."

Flores said he might not publicly name the Dolphins' starting quarterback ahead of their season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 8.

--Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden named Case Keenum the team's starting quarterback.

Keenum beat out rookie first-rounder Dwayne Haskins and fellow veteran Colt McCoy. He was 16-for-30 for 213 yards with one touchdown over the first three games of the preseason.

The Redskins visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 8 in the season opener.

--Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was spotted without the walking boot he'd been wearing since he sprained his left foot, according to multiple reports.

Newton suffered the injury in Thursday's preseason game.

On Saturday, head coach Ron Rivera said he was "cautiously optimistic" that Newton soon would be on the practice field.

--Quarterback Andrew Luck won't have to give up nearly $25 million in bonus money after retiring from the NFL just three weeks shy of his 30th birthday.

According to ESPN, the Colts won't go after a $12 million roster bonus Luck received in March or a prorated portion of the $32 million signing bonus he received in 2016 that could have amounted to another $12.8 million.

The team and Luck reportedly reached a settlement on the bonus money late last week.

--Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown lost a second grievance hearing against the NFL regarding his helmet, according to multiple reports.

However, ProFootballTalk reported Brown is making progress on an eventual endorsement deal with multiple equipment makers for a helmet model that is expected to be approved by the league.

--Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller will miss the upcoming season after sustaining a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, multiple outlets reported.

An MRI confirmed the injury, which was feared to be the case after Miller was carted off the field on Saturday.

--New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon is off the non-football injury list and practiced for the first time in full pads.

That means Gordon, conditionally reinstated by the NFL from suspension on Aug. 16, is on track for the Sept. 8 opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots also released wideout Maurice Harris.

--New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones will start Thursday's preseason finale against New England, coach Pat Shurmur announced.

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Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Shurmur affirmed Friday that Eli Manning is the team's starter despite Jones' strong preseason. Starters traditionally sit out the preseason finale.

--The Raiders released running back Doug Martin less than four months after re-signing him.

Martin was placed on injured reserve and is expected reach an injury settlement with the Raiders, who also released long snapper Andrew DePaola and signed defensive tackle Corey Liuget and linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams.

--The Miami Dolphins released safety T.J. McDonald, just a year into a four-year, $24 million contract extension.

McDonald, 28, joined Miami on a one-year deal as a free agent in March of 2017 and signed an extension less than six months later, which put him under contract through 2021. He is still due $3.7 million in guaranteed money in 2019.

--Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced his starting offensive line, including rookie fourth-rounder Michael Jordan at left guard, John Miller at right guard and Trey Hopkins at center.

That leaves 2018 first-round pick (21st overall) Billy Price -- who started 20 games at center as a rookie, on the bench for now. Price battled a foot injury early in camp that "set him back a bit," Taylor said.

--The Green Bay Packers waived former second-round pick Josh Jones with a non-football illness designation.

The 24-year-old safety requested a trade earlier this offseason. He hasn't practiced since Aug. 11 because of an undisclosed illness.

--The Arizona Cardinals put fourth-round rookie wideout Hakeem Butler on injured reserve with a hand injury, ending his season.

The Cardinals also placed safety Josh Shaw on injured reserve, released defensive end Andre Branch and linebackers Hayes Pullard and Jeff Holland and made the signing of wideout Michael Crabtree official.

--Los Angeles Rams linebacker Josh Carraway will miss the season with a torn Achilles, and offensive lineman Aaron Neary is out indefinitely with a broken ankle.

Both injuries occurred in Saturday's preseason game and will require surgery, head coach Sean McVay said.

--The Ravens signed kicker Elliott Fry, a week after he was waived by the Chicago Bears.

--Field Level Media

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