NFL
notebook: Chiefs QB Mahomes, four rookies named All-Pro
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[January 05, 2019]
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Los
Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald headline the 2018 NFL
All-Pro team announced Friday.
Mahomes entered the season as a first-time starter and helped Kansas
City secure the No. 1 spot in the AFC playoffs with 5,097 yards and
50 touchdown passes, joining Peyton Manning as the second player
ever with more than 5,000 passing yards and 50 scoring passes in the
same season.
Donald was the only unanimous selection by the 50-member Associated
Press panel. The fifth-year pro had an NFL-high 20.5 sacks after
signing the largest contract in NFL history for a defensive player.
Four rookies -- including Indianapolis Colts teammates in guard
Quenton Nelson and linebacker Darius Leonard -- were first-team
All-Pro picks. Chargers safety Derwin James and Seattle Seahawks
punter Michael Dickson are the others.
--The Washington Redskins reportedly informed head coach Jay Gruden
that he will be back for the 2019 season, according to NBC Sports
Washington.
The news comes on the heels of the Redskins' season falling apart,
as they finished 7-9 after a 6-3 start that saw them in first place
in mid-November. Gruden, who is 35-44-1 in his five seasons in
Washington, has no career playoff wins.
Speculation about Gruden lingered past Black Monday, considering the
history of notoriously impatient owner Daniel Snyder. Gruden may
have been spared because of the avalanche of injuries that rocked
the team, including losing their top two quarterbacks Alex Smith and
Colt McCoy to season-ending injuries.
--Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is a full-go for
Sunday's AFC wild-card game against the host Baltimore Ravens after
going through three full practice sessions without a setback.
Gordon (885 rushing yards, 10 rushing TD) injured an ankle in last
Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos but officially was cleared
and taken off the team's injury report. Backup running back Austin
Ekeler (groin) is listed as questionable after being a limited
practice participant on Friday.
The Chargers still are pondering whether to activate tight end
Hunter Henry, who missed the entire regular season after tearing the
ACL in his right knee in May.
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Dec 30, 2018; Landover,
MD, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden walks onto the
field during a timeout against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth
quarter at FedEx Field. The Eagles won 24-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff
Burke-USA TODAY Sports
--Chicago Bears standout safety Eddie Jackson is a game-time
decision for Sunday's playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles,
coach Matt Nagy told reporters.
Jackson missed the final two games of the regular season with an
ankle injury. The Bears listed him as questionable on Friday's
injury report after he was a limited practice participant for the
second straight day.
Jackson, who was named a first-team All-Pro, ranked fourth in the
NFL with six interceptions in 14 games. He returned two of the picks
for scores. Deon Bush would start again if Jackson can't play.
--Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers coach Joey Porter was
fired.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday he was reassessing "anything
and everything," a direct byproduct of missing the playoffs in 2018,
including his coaching staff.
Porter, 41, was a third-round pick of the franchise in 1999. He was
a four-time All-Pro and played 13 seasons (1999-2011) with
Pittsburgh, Miami and Arizona. Tomlin hired Porter as a defensive
assistant in 2014.
--Field Level Media
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