Falcons add defensive end Derrick Shelby to long IR list

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have placed defensive end Derrick Shelby on injured reserve.

Shelby, who has a groin injury, becomes Atlanta’s seventh former starter to land on IR. Six players currently are on IR.

The IR list includes linebacker Deion Jones, who came off injured reserve on Nov. 14 but has not yet been active for a game after missing two months with a broken right foot. He has a chance to play Sunday against Baltimore.

Shelby started in three of seven games he played this season and had 10 tackles.

Rookie safety Ryan Neal was promoted to the active roster on Wednesday. Running back Jeremy Langford, who played two seasons with the Bears, was signed to the practice squad.

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Eric Reid says he's being excessively drug tested by NFL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Eric Reid says he’s being targeted by the NFL because of his pending collusion case after being drug tested five times since signing with the Panthers on Sept. 27.

Drug screenings throughout the NFL are random, but the Panthers safety says this year for him it has been “excessive.” He says in a normal 17-week season he’s tested “maybe twice.”

Reid believes the extra tests are related to fallout from his collusion case against the NFL which alleges owners conspired to keep him out of the league because of his decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice.

Reid says “this doesn’t surprise me coming from them.”

The safety says he doesn’t have anything to hide since he’s never failed a drug test, but added it needs to be talked about because “it’s like stop-and-frisk — it’s just wrong.”

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QB Bortles says 'time's probably limited' when you don't win

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Blake Bortles isn’t quite ready to focus on his future with the franchise.

For now, the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback is trying to be supportive teammate.

Bortles will start a regular-season game on the bench for the first time since Sept. 14, 2014, serving as Cody Kessler’s backup against Indianapolis (6-5) on Sunday.

“I put myself in this position and didn’t play good enough,” Bortles said Wednesday, two days after getting demoted. “Didn’t win football games, couldn’t find a way to get it done. And when that happens, it’s a business and everybody understands that. I don’t think there’s anything personal involved. As a quarterback, I think you have one job and that’s to win a football game, and if you don’t do that, your time’s probably limited.”

Bortles sounded like someone who knows his time with Jacksonville is nearing the end.

Bortles signed a three-year, $54 million contract in February and will count $21 million against the salary cap in 2019. If the Jags cut him before June 1, they would still take a $16.5 million hit against the cap.

The fifth-year pro and third overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft seemed resigned to — at the very least — having to compete for the starting job next year.

“Yeah, I have no problem with competition or anything,” he said. “I’m not in charge of the decisions that are made. I obviously put myself in this position and forced their decision to be made, but at the end of the day, they’re in charge of making those personnel decisions. And if it’s a competition or if it’s, ‘See you later; you’re out of here,’ whatever it is, I love playing football and would love the opportunity to play again.”

Coach Doug Marrone benched Bortles and fired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett on the same day. He promoted Kessler and will have quarterbacks coach Scott Milanovich call plays.

“It’s always going to be a difference,” Marrone said. “Obviously, we have the same system. We aren’t going to be changing the terminology in a week. Cody played in this system and now he gets a full week of (practicing). I think that Scott knows what Cody can do obviously; he was his position coach. We’ll see when we get out there and see things during the week of what we’re going to be able to use.”

Kessler hasn’t taken many first-team reps since training camp, so he needs to develop some chemistry with his offensive linemen and receiving corps.

He also won’t have running back Leonard Fournette (suspension) or three starting offensive linemen: left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Andrew Norwell and center Brandon Linder. All three are on injured reserve.

“There is a reason that every single player is here,” Kessler said. “You obviously want to have every guy out there that you can, but when you can’t, it is the same thing. Next man up, and we have guys that are going to be ready. And whoever is out there, everyone is competing and everyone is given an opportunity. I am excited. Everyone is here for a reason, and we are going to be ready to go.”

Bortles took the benching in stride, saying and doing all the right things in his reduced role. He said he learned from longtime Jaguars backup Chad Henne how to handle getting benched and being a career backup.

“One thing I’ve always said that I thought was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen is how Chad handled going from being the starter to the backup and how he was able to maturely handle that and be there for me and do whatever I needed or help me out in any way,” Bortles said. “Anytime I’ve ever been in that situation, that’s all I’ll try and do is kind of what he did and what I witnessed him do.

“It’s be a professional and handle it the way you should. It’s a job, and our job is to be here and try to win football games, and as a backup quarterback or any quarterback that’s not the starter you job is to help the starter and help the rest of the offense score points and win.”

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Bears Khalil Mack has got the Giants' attention

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Want to get the New York Giants’ attention this week? Just mention Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack.

It’s instant respect for one of the leading contenders for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Mack has been a force in his first year with the Bears (8-3). Despite missing two games, he leads the NFL with five forced fumbles and leads the team with eight sacks. That’s gone a long way in helping NFL North-leading Chicago become the fourth-ranked defense.

Rookie running back Saquon Barkley was clearly impressed Wednesday after watching the videotapes of Mack as the Giants (3-8) prepared for Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium.

“He’s as good as advertised,” Barkley said of Mack. “The only thing I can say is he’s good as advertised. He’s probably the best defensive player in the league. He’s an active player, he’s big, fast, strong. He’s everything you want in an outside linebacker. He’s definitely going to be a challenge this week, but we’ve played great players before and we’ve just got to come out ready to compete and ready to work.”

Mack, traded to the Bears by Oakland on Sept. 1, tends to line up at right defensive end. When that happens, he will go against left tackle Nate Solder, who the Giants signed as a free agent in the offseason.

Solder said Mack has all the attributes. He’s talented, makes plays, has a nose for the ball, flexibility, power and strength. Stopping him will require the line to get a “hat on the hat” and give quarterback Eli Manning time to throw. It also helps the Bears have a lot of good players on defense.

Solder refused to compare Mack to anyone.

“You go out there and you prepare it as best you can for that particular opponent,” he said. “They all have strength and weaknesses. He’s got strengths up through the roof. He’s incredible, and so you do the best you can all week, understanding what they’re all about, how they like to do it and how their defensive coordinator likes to use them. And then when it comes to game day you got to play your best.”

Mack occasionally moves to left end and he would face second-year tackle Chad Wheeler on those plays. Wheeler faced Mack last season when the Giants visited Oakland and Mack came away with a sack, a forced fumble and a recovery.

“He’s just relentless,” Wheeler said. “A great player, he has an internal drive that sometimes I match, so you’ve got to bring it.”

Mack’s big game against the Giants on Dec. 3 came with Eli Manning on the sideline. With the playoffs out of reach, the quarterback was benched by coach Ben McAdoo, who elected to start Geno Smith.

McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese were fired the following day.

Manning said Mack stands out on the Bears’ defense, which has helped the team win five in a row.

“He does a good job getting sacks, causing fumbles, interceptions — he does it all,” the two-time Super Bowl MVP said. “They’re sound all over. They play good football, not giving up many big plays. Teams aren’t scoring a ton on them. They’re creating turnovers. They’re playing good football, so we got to do the same.”

The Giants have struggled on offense this season, with the biggest problem being too many negative plays, whether it be sacks, penalties or tackles for losses. It was the big reason they blew a halftime lead against the Eagles on Sunday.

Barkley said the Giants just have to play their game.

“It’s going to be one on one sometimes and you got to win your one-on-one matchups,” said Barkley, whose 829 yards rushing is fourth in the league. “And yes he’s (Mack) going to make plays and yes the Bears are going to make plays and every team’s going to make plays against you sometimes. But at the end of the day you got to make more plays than them.”

NOTES: TE Evan Engram (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. … Coach Pat Shurmur is optimistic DE Kerry Wynn (concussion) will be ready after missing last week’s game.

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Driskel gets long-awaited chance when Bengals host Broncos

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jeff Driskel headed directly from the practice field to the podium in the media room and headed for Andy Dalton’s usual seat. In countless ways, the third-year quarterback has entered a new frontier.

Until last Sunday, he’d never gotten into a game because of an injury. He’s practicing with the Bengals’ starting offense this week for the first time all season.

And on Sunday, he’ll make his first career start against the Broncos (5-6) at Paul Brown Stadium in a game the Bengals (5-6) need to win to maintain any hopes of reaching the playoffs.

“All right!” he said, settling into a chair behind the microphone.

He’s been waiting a long time for such a chance.

Driskel was hoping to lead the Florida Gators after Tim Tebow’s departure, but he broke his leg and wasn’t able to win the job. He transferred to Louisiana Tech for the 2015 season, threw for 4,033 yards and was drafted by San Francisco in the sixth round. The Bengals claimed him off waivers before the 2016 season.

They liked his arm, his mobility and how he responded in pressure situations, keeping him as the No. 3 behind Dalton and AJ McCarron. Last year, he broke his passing hand in the final preseason game and hurt his non-passing arm while playing the role of receiver during practice late in the season.

McCarron won a grievance and became a free agent after the season. Driskel competed with Matt Barkley for the backup job during training camp, getting it when Barkley hurt his left knee in the final preseason game.

Now, he’s got a chance to finish the season as the starter.

Dalton is out for the season with an injured right thumb , suffered during a 35-20 loss to Cleveland on Sunday. Driskel knows it’s an opportunity that could be a turning point in his career, even though he can’t think of it that way.

“We’re just kind of worried about this week,” he said Wednesday. “If you start to let your mind wander into the distance, you can’t narrow your focus on this week.”

His biggest challenge this week is not allowing the pressure to bother him.

“Just stay relaxed,” coach Marvin Lewis said.

He’ll have one advantage. Receiver A.J. Green returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday after missing the past three games with an injured toe on his right foot. Green said he expects to play on Sunday, barring a setback in practice during the week. Without Green, the offense has struggled in three straight losses.

“I’m just happy to be playing football again,” Green said. “These last four weeks have been tough.”

The biggest change in the offense will be Driskel’s ability to run. He threw his first NFL touchdown pass and ran for another against Cleveland, beating a safety to the end zone.

“He had a pretty good one on that touchdown run and he said, ‘Well, I wasn’t really running that fast,'” offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said.

WHIRLWIND

The Bengals claimed quarterback Tom Savage off waivers from San Francisco on Monday, providing a backup for Driskel. It’s Savage’s third team this season — the Saints waived him in the final cuts. He packed a bag of clothes and arrived on Tuesday.

“Three systems in three months — completely different,” Savage said. “But it’s all (football). You’ve just got to throw it to the open guy.”

TACKLE PROBLEMS

Left tackle Cordy Glenn was inactive for the game against the Browns with a back injury. Replacement Jake Fisher hurt his back in the game and didn’t return. Both were held out of practice Wednesday, along with DE Carlos Dunlap (hip). CB Dre Kirkpatrick (shoulder) and LB Nick Vigil (knee) were limited.

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Big time: Browns playing rare significant late-season game

Mayfield doesn't regret actions, says not 'cookie-cutter' QB

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Baker Mayfield won’t change for anyone and refuses to be a “cookie-cutter quarterback.”

Cleveland’s outspoken rookie said Wednesday that he doesn’t regret calling former Browns coach Hue Jackson “fake” and he has no intention of changing his behavior. Following the Browns’ 35-20 win on Sunday in Cincinnati, Mayfield was cold toward Jackson and then said he was unhappy his first NFL coach accepted a job with the Bengals, a division rival.

Mayfield’s comments drew criticism and he fired back with a post on Instagram assailing Jackson. Mayfield declined to elaborate about their relationship.

The No. 1 overall draft pick said he’s entitled to his opinion, and “although I’m an athlete, I’m not a cookie-cutter quarterback, never have been, never will be. I speak my mind. That’s just how I am, so I didn’t like the (Jackson) move and people don’t have to care. I’m not looking for anybody’s approval.”

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Behind Jackson and Edwards, Ravens mounting run to playoffs

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — With rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson likely to make a third straight start Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive linemen are gearing up for another delightful afternoon of plowing straight ahead as part of the team’s suddenly formidable running game.

Joe Flacco didn’t practice Wednesday and is still waiting to get medical clearance following a hip injury that’s kept him sidelined since Nov. 4.

“There’s a process involved that has to do with the doctors and trainers and his rehab,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s progressing really well.”

Though Harbaugh did not rule out the possibility of Flacco playing Sunday in Atlanta, all signs point to Jackson running the offense when the Ravens (6-5) seek their season-high third straight victory.

With Jackson and rookie Gus Edwards leading the way, Baltimore rushed for 267 yards in a win over Cincinnati and another 242 last week in a 34-17 rout of Oakland. The Ravens are looking more of the same against the Falcons (4-7), who own the league’s 25th-ranked rushing defense.

“We’re having a blast,” rookie right tackle Orlando Brown Jr. said Wednesday.

The Ravens opened the second half against the Raiders with a 13-play drive that included 12 runs, the last by Jackson for a touchdown and a 20-10 lead.

“As an offensive lineman, it feels great to be able to do that,” guard Alex Lewis said. “It’s always fun running the ball. I’m excited what’s to come.”

Baltimore lost three in a row before Jackson took over for Flacco and started getting the ball to Edwards, who replaced Alex Collins (foot injury) as the featured back. Employing the run-pass option — a staple for Jackson at Louisville but a rarity in the NFL — the Ravens are averaging 5.30 yards per carry over the past two weeks.

Jackson ran for 117 yards against the Bengals and another 71 last week. Edwards, who started the season on the practice squad, has back-to-back 100-yard games.

“It definitely opens up your run game, having Lamar in there compared to Joe,” Lewis said. “Joe’s got a cannon (for an arm), but Lamar has feet and makes defenders miss. It’s helped us out tremendously.”

Hard to believe, but the Ravens have leaped back into the playoff picture with a rookie quarterback and an undrafted rookie running back operating behind a rookie right tackle.

It all begins with Jackson taking the snap, then either handing the ball to Edwards or dashing off on his own. Jackson’s speed and elusive qualities are almost impossible to duplicate in practice.

“He’s got such quickness and speed, like a wide receiver or a corner has, but he’s behind center,” Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said. “You can simulate that with a receiver for the run plays, but it’s not as authentic because he can’t step back and rip the passes.”

Edwards spent four years at the University of Miami before transferring to Rutgers for his senior year. He signed as a free agent with Baltimore in May, was assigned to the practice squad in September and activated to the 53-man roster on Oct. 13.

After much diligence and an impressive showing on the practice field, the 6-foot-1, 240-pounder is now a starter.

“Hard work pays off, and he has continued to do that,” Harbaugh said. “Talent is part of it. But he’s a great example for kids, that if you take the right approach you can achieve anything.”

There’s no bluster to Edwards, who speaks softly and has a reputation for being very low key.

“Very serious minded. He’s kind of all business,” Harbaugh said. “It takes a real funny thing to get him to smile. You’d better be on your joke game.”

Lately, Edwards have given Baltimore’s offensive line a reason to grin.

“They get pumped out there when we’re running and getting positive yards,” Edwards said. “They’re jumping around, looking at the sideline, hoping we continue going. They love it.”

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D.C. Council Quashes Pro-League Fee, But Sports Betting Bill Moves On

The professional sports leagues struck out again on Wednesday when the D.C. City Council opted to remove language from its sports betting bill that would have payed the leagues a royalty. Entering Wednesday’s “mark-up” hearing in the Finance and Revenue Committee, a revised version of Bill 22-944 included a one-quarter of 1 percent cut of gross sports wagering revenue as a payout to the professional leagues. But the council unanimously agreed to cut the amendment that added that fee.

The net result is that the committee agreed to move the bill along to a first reading, set for Dec. 4. The goal is to get the bill voted on at a Dec. 16 meeting.

During the one-hour hearing, several other bills were discussed, but the committee spent about half an hour discussing sports betting. Key changes to the original bill included creating a two-block no-competition zone around designated gaming facilities; removing the mandate that sportsbooks use official league data and replacing that with the royalty; language reaffirming that the D.C. Lottery would regulate sports betting; and allowing mobile bettors to use the D.C. Lottery sports betting app around the city, but requiring them to use only the app approved by a gaming facility in said facility.

 

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Jets place left guard James Carpenter on season-ending IR

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets have placed left guard James Carpenter on the injured reserve list with a shoulder injury, ending the season for one of the team’s most reliable players.

Carpenter had started in 58 straight games since signing with the Jets as a free agent in 2015 until missing New York’s 27-13 loss to New England last Sunday. Spencer Long moved from center to left guard, and Jonotthan Harrison took over in Long’s spot. It appears that will be the plan moving forward.

The 29-year-old Carpenter was a first-round pick by Seattle out of Alabama in 2011. He played his first four seasons with the Seahawks, including winning a Super Bowl in 2014.

The Jets also announced Wednesday that they have promoted offensive lineman Ben Braden from the practice squad.

Running back Mark Thompson was signed to the practice squad. He was signed by Baltimore as an undrafted free agent in the spring out of Florida.

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FANTASY PLAYS: NFL crunch time creates shifts in daily game

The crescendo of the fantasy football season also marks a shift across the NFL landscape that starts this week.

Teams learn they’ll be in or out of the playoffs, others manage injuries with an eye toward January or next season, while some teams battle for playoff positions.

Understanding those dynamics and how they relate to daily fantasy can help separate you from the crowd. Here are a few spots for fantasy players to exploit during Week 13:

JAGS RUNNING BACKS

Leonard Fournette’s suspension opens up value in the Jacksonville Jaguars backfield for Week 13 with T.J. Yeldon and Carlos Hyde both becoming intriguing options. Both running backs cost less than $5,000 on FanDuel, while Yeldon is $4,400 and Hyde is just $3,300 on DraftKings. The Jaguars have a 21-point implied team total this week and both backs could have value.

Yeldon is a target on DraftKings with its point-per-reception format and should maintain his third down role at minimum with upside of receiving 50 percent of the snaps. Yeldon has a floor of four to six targets, with upside for more in a game where the Jaguars will start QB Cody Kessler and are projected to be playing from behind.

At $3,300 Hyde is still in consideration on DraftKings and could be the better play on FanDuel with the more TD-heavy scoring settings. In Week 8, his first game with Jacksonville, Hyde stepped in for Fournette and received the majority of the team’s carries and the first crack as the goal-line back. Now more familiar with the playbook, Hyde could see 15 to 20 carries and should again be featured at the goal. At near minimum price on both sites Hyde doesn’t need to do much to pay off his cheap price tag.

SPOILERY BUCS

While the Buccaneers are all but eliminated from contention, they will look to spoil things for divisional foe Carolina. The Tampa Bay QB position, whether occupied by Ryan Fitzpatrick or Jameis Winston, is a QB1 in seasonal leagues and has produced top 5 numbers at the position.

Winston will lead the Bucs offense and there could be value at the wide receiver position. DeSean Jackson is seeking a second opinion on his thumb and was ineffective in Week 12, playing less than 50 percent of snaps and catching just three of his eight targets. If Jackson misses time, it will lead to an elevated snap count and target share for both Chris Godwin and Adam Humphries. Both receivers have produced 20-plus point fantasy outputs and can be considered as secondary options for lineups pairing up Winston with top target Mike Evans.

Godwin and Humphries can also be considered as contrarian elements of Carolina Panthers stacks that feature Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey, knowing that Carolina should be able to put up points with a projected team total above 29. The Buccaneers will be forced to throw and one of Godwin or Humphries is likely to pay off their low daily price tag. Users building multiple DFS lineups would be wise to exploit this injury situation.

NOTES FOR WEEK 13

Indianapolis tight end Jack Doyle is out for the season and Eric Ebron will see an increased target share in addition to his high red zone usage. Running back Rex Burkhead returns for New England which could impact Sony Michel and James White. Melvin Gordon’s injury will create value from Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson in the Chargers offense.

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