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NFL notebook: Browns' Kitchens not giving up play-calling

[September 24, 2019] Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens admitted botching a play call or two in a close loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.

After reviewing the film, Kitchens spotted some adjustments and improvements to implement, but he didn't come away with the sense he needs to give up the play-calling role for the team.

"You can write that if you want to, but that's not even feasible," Kitchens told reporters Monday. "That's not even -- that's not being considered. No. It's not."

Down four points in the fourth quarter Sunday night, Kitchens called a draw play -- isolating the running back against pursuing linebackers -- on a fourth-and-9 late in the game.

--New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hinted the team could have done more to support Antonio Brown, his teammate of a mere 11 days.

Brown was released Friday, likely losing his $9 million signing bonus, and became a free agent for the second time in 13 days. Brown said via social media he's done with the NFL, criticizing Patriots owner Robert Kraft on his way out of Boston.

"Everyone needs something a little bit different. Everybody's upbringing was a little bit different. Everybody's emotional states are different," Brady said Monday in a radio interview on WEEI in Boston. "How do you contribute -- whether someone is hurting physically, mentally, emotionally -- how do you provide to them what they may need in order to support them to help us all grow and evolve."

--Brown now has something to do with his time after saying he no longer is interested in playing in the NFL, as he revealed his current schedule of four classes at Central Michigan.

The former Steelers, Raiders and Patriots receiver is set to take online classes at the school where he grabbed 22 touchdown passes in three seasons from 2007-09.

--New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is expected to be sidelined four to eight weeks with a high ankle sprain, multiple media outlets reported.

Coach Pat Shurmur confirmed the injury but did not offer a specific recovery window, one day after the running back exited Sunday's 32-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

--Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been ruled out of next Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Newton, who has a foot injury, will be replaced by quarterback Kyle Allen for the second consecutive week.

The Panthers plan to be patient with Newton given his foot injury dates to the preseason. The injury, a mid-foot sprain, caused Newton to remain in Charlotte rather than travel with the team for Sunday's 38-20 victory at Arizona.

--Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson said he was hopeful wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will play Thursday night at the Green Bay Packers.

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Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens reacts against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jeffery missed Sunday's 27-24 home loss to Detroit after injuring his left calf in a Week 2 defeat at Atlanta, where fellow receiver DeSean Jackson also was hurt.

--Quarterback Sam Darnold participated in cardio workouts and following another round of lab work, the New York Jets expect him to be medically cleared to play in Week 5 after a bout of mononucleosis.

The Jets began their bye week on Monday. The Jets started Luke Falk in Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots and opened the season with three consecutive losses.

--Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey was spotted at the team's offices after calling the team Sunday night to say he was ill and would not be at the facility.

ESPN reported the Ramsey sighting and added it was unclear who the player saw or spoke with while at the Jaguars facility.

--The Arizona Cardinals released wide receiver Michael Crabtree just three games into a one-year contract, the team's website reported.

Crabtree, an 11-year veteran, reportedly received a $500,000 signing bonus and a $1.75 million salary that became guaranteed after he was on the Week 1 roster.

--Cincinnati Bengals veteran wide receiver A.J. Green remains out with an ankle injury and will not return for next Monday night's game against the AFC North-rival Steelers in Pittsburgh, head coach Zac Taylor said.

--The Patriots placed fullback James Develin on injured reserve, the team announced.

--Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Keanu Neal sustained a torn left Achilles amid reports the safety was lost for the season. The team's official website quoted Quinn as saying he was "heartbroken" for Neal.

-- Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips will miss the remainder of the 2019 season due to a torn ACL, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed.

--Indianapolis Colts safety Malik Hooker is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks with a knee injury, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

--Field Level Media

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