Jan 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Randy Moss on the ESPN Monday Night Countdown set before a NFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Randy Moss reveals he underwent surgery to remove bile duct cancer

Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss said Friday that he is recovering from a cancer surgery and will undergo radiation and chemotherapy.

Moss revealed the health crisis during an Instagram Live appearance. He said a cancerous mass was found in his bile duct between the pancreas and liver.

Moss said he was hospitalized for six days before being released on Friday.

“I didn’t think I would ever be in a position like this, as healthy as I thought I was,” Moss said.

Moss, 47, said he had a procedure to install a stent into his liver on Thanksgiving in an unrelated matter when doctors discovered the cancer cells.

He then underwent a six-hour surgery last week in Charlotte, N.C. to remove the cancer.

“I am a cancer survivor,” Moss said. “Some trying times, but we made it through.”

Next are the trials and tribulations that come with making sure the cancer doesn’t return.

“Yes, it’s going to be a tough road with some chemo and radiation, but like I said, man, I’m good,” Moss said.

Moss took a leave of absence from his gig as an NFL analyst for ESPN on Dec. 6. Five days earlier, he said on Instagram that he “has been battling something internal” and requested prayers from his fans.

Moss played for five NFL teams but is most associated with the Minnesota Vikings, where he played the first seven of his 14 seasons and later briefly played for the team late in his career.

“I just want to, on behalf of the whole Minnesota Vikings organization, just send him our well wishes and support,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We love Randy and know our fan base feels the same way.”

Moss earned five of his six Pro Bowl nods with Minnesota (1998-2004, 2010) and recorded six of his 10 1,000-yard seasons with the team. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Moss caught 982 passes for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns in 218 career games. He also played for the then-Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).

Moss ranks second in career touchdowns catches behind Jerry Rice (197), fourth in career receiving yardage and 16th in career receptions. His 23 receiving touchdowns in 2007 for the Patriots are an NFL record.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Trojans QB Miller Moss entering transfer portal

Southern California quarterback Miller Moss is entering the transfer portal with one season of eligibility remaining, he told ESPN on Monday.

Moss appeared in 21 games (10 starts) for the Trojans from 2021-24, completing 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,469 yards with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

“I really enjoyed my time at USC,” he told ESPN. “It was transformative for my life as a whole and for me growing up for the last few years. I’m thankful. I gave that program everything I had.

“There comes a point where there’s a time to move on to new opportunities, and I’m hoping to better myself as a person and a player.”

Moss made nine starts this season for USC (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten), passing for 2,555 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions before being replaced by Jayden Maiava.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals halfback Zack Moss (31) runs downfield in the fourth quarter of the NFL game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.

Bengals RB Zack Moss (neck) out indefinitely; TE Erick All tears ACL again

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss is out indefinitely with a neck injury, head coach Zac Taylor said Monday.

Moss, signed as an unrestricted free agent in March, did not play last week after reporting the injury to the Bengals on Thursday. He did not practice Friday and was added to the injury report as doubtful.

He rushed for 242 yards (3.3 yards per carry) with a long gain of 16 in his first eight games with Cincinnati, adding 23 receptions for 187 yards and three total touchdowns.

Chase Brown emerged as the No. 1 back and might have cemented that role with a career day Sunday in a 41-24 win over the Raiders. Brown had a career-high 27 carries for 120 yards and caught a TD pass.

He leads the team with 105 carries for 479 yards and four rushing TDs in 2024. But Brown came out of the game with bruised ribs and no other running back on the roster has any carries this season.

Moss had 183 carries for 794 yards and seven total touchdowns with the Colts last season as the fill-in for injured starter Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor also confirmed tight end Erick All Jr. suffered a torn ACL on Sunday against the Raiders. He had 20 receptions this season. The injury to his right knee is a repeat of the injury he suffered at Iowa last season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Le'Veon Moss (8) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the LSU Tigers in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

Texas A&M loses leading rusher Le’Veon Moss for season

Junior Amari Daniels is the next man up for Texas A&M with leading rusher Le’Veon Moss ruled out for the remainder of the season with a leg injury.

Aggies coach Mike Elko confirmed Moss will not play again this season after leading the team with 765 yards and 10 touchdowns on 121 carries this season. He left Saturday’s 44-20 loss to South Carolina early in the first half with a knee injury.

Moss emerged as the featured back after Rueben Owens was injured in August. Elko said at the time Owens was “most likely” done for the year, but also added there is a chance he could be available “if the season extends beyond the regular season.”

With three games remaining, including the Nov. 30 showdown with No. 5 Texas, the Aggies are down to only two scholarship running backs with game experience. That doesn’t include freshman wide receiver Terry Bussey, who has lined up in the backfield and carried the ball nine times for 84 yards and a touchdown in 2024.

“We’re confident in Amari and his ability to go back there,” Elko said Monday.

Daniels provided a spark with the longest run of his career last week at South Carolina, a 56-yard burst as part of a 13-carry, 83-yard outing against the Gamecocks. He had a career-high 91 yards on 12 carries in Texas A&M’s win over LSU last month.

No. 15 Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1) is off until a nonconference game against New Mexico State on Nov. 16.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (21) slides into the end zone for a touchdown while being chased by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mykal Walker (38) on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts RB Zack Moss (foreram) could return vs. Texans

Indianapolis running back Zack Moss could return to the field after a two-game absence when the Colts host the Houston Texans in Saturday’s AFC South showdown.

Moss has been sidelined with a forearm injury but was listed by the Colts as questionable on Thursday, when he was a full participant at practice.

Moss has rushed for career highs of 764 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games this season. He would likely split time with Jonathan Taylor (553 yards) during the pivotal game.

“It’d be big obviously to get Zack back out there if he’s available to go,” Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen said. “It would be great. And to have that one-two punch back there — what he’s done all year has been awesome.”

The winner of Saturday’s game between the two 9-7 teams will land a playoff spot. The loser will see their season conclude.

Moss rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 when the Colts beat the Texans 31-20 in Houston.

Five other Indianapolis players are listed as questionable, including guard Quenton Nelson (ankle), center Ryan Kelly (ankle) and tackle Braden Smith (knee). Cornerbacks Chris Lammons (ankle) and Kenny Moore II (back) are also questionable.

Houston ruled out standout defensive end Jonathan Greenard (ankle) and receiver Noah Brown (back) on Thursday. Greenard has a team-best 12.5 sacks.

Six players are listed as questionable, including defensive end Will Anderson (ankle) and receiver Robert Woods (hip). The others are defensive tackles Maliek Collins (hip) and Sheldon Rankins (ankle), standout offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (groin) and fullback Andrew Back (calf).

–Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) works to push Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) out of bounds Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. clears protocol; RB Zack Moss out

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. cleared concussion protocol but running back Zack Moss has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.

Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed on Friday that the Colts (8-7) won’t have Moss (forearm) but that Pittman “should be ready to roll.”

Pittman, who also cleared protocol last week before having a relapse, and Moss were both injured in a Dec. 16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both sat out last Sunday’s 29-10 defeat at Atlanta.

Pittman, 26, leads the Colts with 99 receptions and 1,062 receiving yards and has four touchdown catches in 14 games (13 starts) this season.

Moss, 26, leads Indianapolis with 764 rushing yards and shares the team lead with five rushing touchdowns. He also has 27 catches for 192 yards and two scores in 13 games (eight starts).

Jonathan Taylor returned to the backfield last week and rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Falcons. He has 457 rushing yards and five TDs in eight games (five starts), along with 16 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) scores a touchdown Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts’ Jonathan Taylor practices, Michael Pittman Jr. limited

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was projected as a full participant Wednesday, but not all of the injury news out of Indianapolis was positive.

The Colts held a walkthrough and the injury report is an approximation of health ahead of Week 16.

Taylor’s return appears to be right on cue considering backup running back Zack Moss (forearm) didn’t practice and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was limited. Moss exited Saturday’s win over Pittsburgh in the first half with an arm injury. Pittman also left Saturday’s game following a vicious helmet-first hit that led to the ejection of Steelers safety Damontae Kazee and a ban of the defensive back for the rest of the season by the league.

One addition to the report not previously known was kicker Matt Gay. He was listed as “DNP” with a right hip injury after missing three field goals and an extra point in the past two games.

Gay is the only kicker on the 53-man roster.

Taylor hasn’t been on the field with the Colts since he was injured during a Nov. 26 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and underwent surgery three days later.

Indianapolis (8-5) plays at Atlanta (6-8) on Sunday.

The Colts beat the Steelers last week, their fifth victory in six games, and are even with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars in the division race with three regular-season games remaining.

After missing the first four games of the season due to a contract standoff and an ankle injury, Taylor has amassed 414 rushing yards and four touchdowns in seven games (five starts). He also has 16 catches for 137 yards and one score.

Taylor has 5,194 yards from scrimmage and scored 41 touchdowns in 50 career games (46 starts). Taylor, 24, was the NFL rushing champion with 1,811 yards in his second season in the league.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches the ball and runs it in for a touchdown  against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs WR Mike Evans reaches 1,000 receiving yards for 10th time

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans went over 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th straight season by catching seven passes for 162 yards and one touchdown in Sunday’s 21-18 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Evans, who has 1,012 yards, is the only receiver in NFL history to top 1,000 in each of his first 10 NFL seasons. In 2020, he set the record by accomplishing it for the seventh straight season to start his career.

He also tied Hall of Famer Randy Moss for the second-most 1,000-yard receiving seasons in a career. The only player with more 1,000-yard campaigns is icon Jerry Rice, the Hall of Famer who did it 14 times.

Also, Rice is the only player who has had more consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (11 in row from 1986-96) at any point during his career.

“I don’t know what more you can say. He’s done this for 10 years now,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said of Evans. “Over 60 catches 10 years in a row. Over 1,000 yards 10 years in a row. You know he’s getting the ball and everyone is trying to stop him, and he makes plays over and over. It’s a credit to him and his work ethic. The way he approaches the game, it’s unbelievable.”

Evans, 30, entered Sunday’s game needing 150 yards to reach 1,000. He reached the milestone when he caught an 11-yard pass from Baker Mayfield in the fourth quarter.

“I’m happy we got the win, most importantly,” Evans said. “I’m happy with the record, obviously. I had a lot of great quarterbacks and offensive coordinators who believed in me. So, I really appreciate them. Hopefully I can keep that streak going for however long my career goes.”

Evans also had a 75-yard touchdown in the game as he reached at least 150 receiving yards for the 13th time in his career. It was his 10th scoring reception of the season. He has 61 catches.

In 149 career regular-season games, Evans has 744 catches for 11,437 yards and 91 touchdowns.

Evans was the No. 7 overall selection of the 2014 draft out of Texas A&M.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenyan Drake (17) rushes by Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) during the second half  at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Colts sign RB Kenyan Drake

Running back Kenyan Drake signed with the Indianapolis Colts on Friday, his agency announced on social media. Terms were not disclosed.

The signing comes amid turmoil in the Colts’ backfield, as star running back Jonathan Taylor reportedly requested a trade and backup Zack Moss suffered a broken arm.

Drake, 29, was in need of a home for the 2023 NFL season after spending 2022 with the Baltimore Ravens.

He had 482 rushing yards (4.4 per carry) and four touchdowns in 12 games (five starts) for the Ravens amid injuries to fellow running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Drake added 17 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.

In seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2016-19), Arizona Cardinals (2019-20), Las Vegas Raiders (2021) and Ravens, Drake has rushed for 3,866 yards (4.5 per carry) and 33 touchdowns and added 216 receptions for 1,624 yards and eight TDs.

–Field Level Media

Brent Moss (file photo) pictured in the 1994 Rose Bowl. The Wisconsin running back was MVP of the victory over UCLA.

Former Wisconsin star RB Brent Moss dies to 50

Former Wisconsin star running back Brent Moss has died at age 50.

Moss reportedly died on Sunday. Cause of death isn’t immediately known.

Moss rushed for 3,428 yards and 34 touchdowns from 1991-94. He was Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 1993 when he rushed for 1,637 yards and 16 scores.

Moss also was Rose Bowl MVP, rushing for 159 yards and two touchdowns during a 21-16 win over UCLA.

He had 833 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games in 1994 before being arrested for possession of crack cocaine. Then-coach Barry Alvarez suspended Moss and his college career was over.

Moss teamed up with Terrell Fletcher — who rushed for 996 yards in 1993 and 1,476 yards in 1994 — in a highly productive backfield.

Fletcher remembered Moss on his Twitter account.

“RIP Brent Moss… We did a thing in our day. I hate that we did not become friends in time appreciate our magic. But we did work it out in time. You were one of the best to ever do it. Respect. #RIP #RosebowlMVP #RBU #OnWisconsin #teammates,” Fletcher said.

Moss wasn’t picked in the 1995 NFL Draft due to the hit to his reputation. He briefly played for the St. Louis Rams in 1995, carrying 22 times for 90 yards but was released during training camp in 1996.

In 2017, Moss was sentenced to a year in prison due to felony possession of cocaine.

–Field Level Media