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NFL notebook: Patriots acquire WR Sanu from Falcons

[October 23, 2019] Veteran wide receiver Mohamed Sanu was acquired by the New England Patriots from the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday in exchange for a 2020 second-round draft pick.

New England had reportedly been active in trade talks for inside receivers and tight ends, including Broncos wideout Emmanuel Sanders and Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard.

Sanu, 30, had 33 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Falcons this year. He is signed through next season.

--Detroit traded defensive back Quandre Diggs and a 2021 seventh-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2020 fifth-round pick, much to the chagrin of several of Diggs' Lions teammates.

Diggs, 26, was a team captain in his fifth season with the Lions. He had six career interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, along with 24 pass breakups and 235 tackles in 65 games (40 starts) for Detroit.

--The Kansas City Chiefs elevated rookie quarterback Kyle Shurmur to their active roster, a further signal that Patrick Mahomes will not be playing this week as he recovers from a dislocated right kneecap.

Coach Andy Reid previously said it would be a "stretch" to expect his star to be back Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

--The San Francisco 49ers traded third- and fourth-round picks to Denver for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and a fifth-round pick.

All picks involved are in the 2020 draft. According to ESPN, the Broncos wanted to keep Sanders for Sunday at Indianapolis, but the 6-0 49ers wanted the wideout to play in their contest against the visiting Carolina Panthers.

--New York Jets coach Adam Gase said he was not happy that quarterback Sam Darnold's comment about "seeing ghosts" aired on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" broadcast. "It bothers me, it bothers the organization," Gase said.

Darnold was intercepted by New England safety Duron Harmon with 5:34 left in the first half. During the Jets' next possession, ESPN aired a segment with audio from plays where Darnold lost a fumble and threw the interception to Harmon, then showed Darnold on the bench afterward saying, "(I'm) seeing ghosts."

--Daniel Jones is safe as the starting quarterback of the New York Giants despite three consecutive losses.

Coach Pat Shurmur said the team is not considering making a switch. The rookie guided the Giants to a win at Tampa Bay in his first NFL start, replacing longtime Giants leader Eli Manning.

--Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson has a grade 1 high ankle sprain and a grade 2 low ankle sprain, according to ESPN.

He also told reporter Josina Anderson that "I'm good" to play Thursday night at Minnesota, where he launched his career and ran for 11,747 yards in 10 seasons, starting in 2007.

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Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) high fives fans prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

--Mason Rudolph was cleared from concussion protocol from an independent neurologist, and will be back as the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday against the Miami Dolphins.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Rudolph would be the starter when he gained medical clearance.

--Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert released a statement regarding linebacker Anthony Chickillo's arrest over the weekend on charges of three misdemeanors including simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment relating to a domestic dispute.

"In regard to the recent incident involving Anthony Chickillo, we will continue to gather information, and we will fully cooperate with the NFL's investigation," the statement said. "Any discipline involving the player will be determined after the gathering of further information from law enforcement and the League Office."

--Indianapolis safety Malik Hooker, who has missed three games while recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, told reporters he expects to return on Sunday, when the team hosts Denver.

--The Jacksonville Jaguars signed linebackers Donald Payne and Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Malcolm Smith and placed tight end Geoff Swaim and linebacker D.J. Alexander on injured reserve.

--The Giants signed inside linebacker Deone Bucannon, two weeks after he was released by Tampa Bay.

--Detroit placed running back Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve after he had a procedure on his right knee.

--Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said wide receiver Adam Thielen is "improving fast" from a hamstring ailment and could play in Thursday night's game against visiting Washington.

--The Arizona Cardinals are signing veteran Alfred Morris to shore up their banged-up corps of running backs, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

--New England will sign defensive back and special teams standout Justin Bethel, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported.

--Hall of Fame defensive back Willie Brown, a Raiders legend, died at age 78.

Brown was named to nine Pro Bowls, earned five First Team All-Pro designations and won three Super Bowls, including two as a coach. He helped the Raiders defeat the Vikings 32-14 with a 75-yard pick-six in Super Bowl XI.

--Field Level Media

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