Pinkston done for the season
Cleveland Browns starting guard Jason Pinkston won’t play again this season.
Still hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs, Pinkston was placed on injured reserve Monday, ending his second year in the NFL after six games. The 25-year-old was rushed to the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday with the life-threatening condition. He had been feeling poorly for most of last week and became ill during the previous Sunday’s home game against Cincinnati.
Pinkston expected to be released, but he’s still receiving treatment.
Panthers GM Hurney fired after team’s poor start to season
Marty Hurney was fired as the Carolina Panthers general manager, one day after star quarterback Cam Newton expressed his frustration with a 1-5 start. The Panthers have the worst record in the NFC in a season that began with big expectations. But a 19-14 loss to Dallas was Carolina’s fourth straight defeat.
The first change came in the front office. Brandon Beane, the team’s director of football operations, will handle day-to-day football matters until a new GM is hired. However, coach Ron Rivera said when it comes to personnel decisions he’ll have final say in matters for now.
Goodell says NFL could consider to drop Pro Bowl
The NFL will consider dropping the Pro Bowl if the level of play doesn’t improve, commissioner Roger Goodell said.
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio’s “Town Hall,” Goodell agreed with host Michael Strahan that last January’s Pro Bowl “was embarrassing.”
“If we cannot accomplish that kind of standard (of high play), I am inclined to not play it,” Goodell said. “It is really tough to force competition, and after a long season, to ask those guys to go out and play at the same level they played is really tough.”
The league still would select a Pro Bowl team through voting by players, coaches and fans, because it is an honor, but “just not play the game,” he said.
QB Hasselbeck starting fourth straight against Colts
Tennessee quarterback Matt Hasselbeck should make his fourth straight start Sunday against Indianapolis.
The veteran’s play in leading Tennessee to fourth-quarter comebacks each of the past two games makes it easier for Jake Locker to take his time healing his shoulder.
Locker injured his left, non-throwing shoulder Sept. 30 for the second time in four games. He just started throwing in practice last week.
Titans LT Roos has surgery to remove appendix
Titans left tackle and former Eastern Washington standout Michael Roos had surgery to remove his appendix, and coach Mike Munchak said they will have to wait and see how quickly the veteran recovers before knowing if Roos will be available Sunday against Indianapolis.
Roos was sore before a 35-34 win at Buffalo, and Munchak said the tackle was checked with no symptoms. Roos started his 119th consecutive game and made the return flight home with no apparent problems. But Munchak said Roos had surgery Monday.
Around the league
Green Bay Packers safety Charles Woodson has a broken collarbone and will be out approximately six weeks. … The Jacksonville Jaguars lost running back Maurice Jones-Drew to a foot injury in a loss to the Raiders. Coach Mike Mularkey said that Jones-Drew will be sidelined at least for Sunday’s game at Green Bay. … Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel announced that Brady Quinn will be under center when the Chiefs play Oakland on Sunday, and Matt Cassel will serve as backup. … The San Diego Chargers have placed kicker Nate Kaeding on injured reserve and plan to release him when he’s healthy. … Panthers coach Ron Rivera says the team has placed nine-year veteran cornerback Chris Gamble on injured reserve with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. … Tight end Chris Cooley has passed a physical exam and agreed to rejoin the Redskins.