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NFL notebook: Tragedy strikes Browns DE Smith

[September 12, 2019] The girlfriend of Browns defensive end Chris Smith was struck and killed on Interstate 90 in Cleveland after their car became disabled.

Smith and Petara Cordero, who had their first child together just four weeks ago, were driving Tuesday night, and a tire on Smith's 2019 Lamborghini blew out. As a result, the sports car veered to the left and struck a center median. Smith and Cordero got out of the car.

A 47-year-old woman driving a 2017 Mazda 3 then hit the open passenger door of the Lamborghini, striking Cordero. The woman admitted to police she had been drinking, and toxicology results are pending.

Smith, 27, is in his second season with the Browns after playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-16) and Cincinnati Bengals (2017).

--Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry sustained a tibia plateau fracture to his left knee in the season opener, the team announced.

The Chargers said that Henry will continue to be evaluated and that a time frame for his return has not been determined. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Henry will be sidelined four to six weeks.

Henry, 24, has 85 catches for 1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns in 30 career games (24 starts).

--New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining his second serious neck injury in the past three years, coach Adam Gase announced.

Enunwa, who sat out the entire 2017 season because of an ailing neck, also missed five games in 2018 due to ankle injuries before signing a four-year, $36 million contract extension in December.

The 27-year-old Enunwa had one catch for minus-4 yards in New York's 17-16 season-opening loss to Buffalo on Sunday.

--Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green has shed his protective boot, marking a positive step in his recovery from ankle surgery.

Green told reporters he has progressed to running on a gravity-assisted treadmill, but he stopped short of placing a timetable on a possible return.

--Los Angeles Rams safety Eric Weddle practiced, and coach Sean McVay said he expected the veteran to play on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Weddle, signed by the Rams in the offseason, was in concussion protocol after leaving the team's road win Sunday over the Carolina Panthers with 5:23 remaining in the second quarter. He took a knee to his head as leaping Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey tried to make a play.

--Antonio Brown practiced with the New England Patriots, but his future remains murky as NFL brass met to discuss how to handle his off-field conduct, according to USA Today.

--Bengals running back Joe Mixon is hopeful to play this weekend because his recovery from an ankle injury is progressing well.

--Oakland Raiders safety Johnathan Abram's rookie season has come to an end because of a torn labrum in his shoulder.

--Jennifer Lopez and the NFL are in talks over the performer taking the stage at the Super Bowl in February.

--Denver Broncos right tackle Ja'Wuan James will miss "at least a couple of weeks" with a left knee sprain, head coach Vic Fangio said.

--San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa sat out practice due to an ankle injury.

--The Patriots added depth to their offensive line by signing tackle Marshall Newhouse to a contract, the team announced.

--Former NFL and college quarterback Ryan Mallett was arrested in Springdale, Ark., on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after being involved in a two-car accident.

--Field Level Media

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