Hurd’s lawyer denies drug rumors
The attorney for Sam Hurd said Friday that his client had never sold drugs to other NFL players, hoping to put any rumors to rest as the wide receiver without a team prepares to fight federal drug charges that could put him in jail for 40 years.
Less than an hour after Hurd was cut by the Chicago Bears, defense attorney Brett Greenfield told reporters that his client planned to fight the charges and wanted one thing made clear.
“Sam has asked me to address one point, with respect to the rumors that Sam has been supplying drugs to other members of the NFL. Out of respect to the NFL, out of respect to teammates and out of respect to other players, he 100 percent denies that allegation,” Greenfield said.
“It is patently and totally false. It just didn’t happen.”
League spokesman Brian McCarthy said the NFL was closely monitoring the situation. Asked about a report that authorities have a list of NFL players with ties to the drug case, McCarthy said: “We are not aware of such a list.”
U.S. Magistrate Young Kim ordered Hurd to surrender his passport and any firearms. Hurd is expected to be tried in Texas, where the criminal complaint was filed this week by the U.S. attorney.
McCoy should return; Watson placed on IR
Colt McCoy is expected to recover from his concussion and play for the Browns again this season. Benjamin Watson isn’t as fortunate.
Watson was placed on injured reserve Friday, ending the tight end’s season after he suffered his third concussion since July in last week’s loss at Pittsburgh. Watson was injured when he banged his head on the ground following a tackle in the first half, couldn’t get his balance and had to be helped to the sideline.
McCoy, who was flattened last week on an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison, has not yet been cleared to play.
McCoy is still experiencing headaches and was sent home Friday for the fourth time this week to rest. He will not accompany the team to Arizona.
Meanwhile, the NFL denied Harrison’s appeal of a one-game suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit on McCoy, and he will sit out Monday night’s game against San Francisco.
Around the league
Matt Hasselbeck will start for the Titans against the Colts on Sunday, barring any setback. Hasselbeck practiced fully Friday despite an injured left calf. He will be listed as questionable, but is expected to start. … New Orleans safety Roman Harper has been fined a total of $22,500 by the NFL for two infractions during the Saints’ game against the Titans. Harper was fined $15,000 for roughing the passer on a helmet-to-helmet hit, and another $7,500 for unnecessary roughness during Sunday’s win over the Titans. … In other fines announced by the league, San Francisco linebacker Larry Grant, New England defensive end Andre Carter and Kansas City linebacker Jovan Belcher were docked $15,000 apiece for roughing-the-passer infractions.