New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) reacts after failing to convert on downs in the second half. The Lions defeat the Jets, 20-17, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022.

Nfl Ny Jets Vs Detroit Lions Lions At Jets

Jets QB Zach Wilson to start, Mike White not cleared for contact

Zach Wilson will remain the starting quarterback for the New York Jets on Thursday against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Mike (White) will not be cleared for contact, so Zach will again be the starter,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said to open his press conference Tuesday.

Wilson returned to the starting role last week due to White being held out by team doctors with a rib injury. White started the previous three games with Saleh and the Jets determining Wilson needed to reset in the aftermath of a 9-for-22 passing (77 yards) effort against the New England Patriots on Nov. 20.

“He knows to prepare like he’s the No. 1,” Saleh said. “Anything else that happens … for Zach, it’s always helpful to get all the reps. Mike will be limited in practice — obviously you can still practice when not cleared for contact.”

Wilson completed 18 of 35 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns last week, a 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions that dropped the Jets to 7-7.

The matchup with the Jaguars (6-8) now brings AFC wild-card ramifications following Jacksonville’s walk-off win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Last season, Wilson led the Jets to a 26-21 win over the Jaguars on Dec. 26 for one of New York’s four victories in 2021. Wilson had a 52-yard touchdown run and 91 total rushing yards along with a TD pass in that game.

He was drafted No. 2 overall in 2021 behind Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard (25) holds off Philadelphia Eagles free safety Marcus Epps (22) in the third quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs backs: Giovani Bernard in, Leonard Fournette out

The Buccaneers activated Giovani Bernard on Saturday and ruled fellow running back Leonard Fournette out for Sunday’s game at Cleveland.

Tampa Bay designated Bernard to return to practice on Monday. He had been on injured reserve since Sept. 21 after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 2.

Bernard, who turned 31 on Tuesday, had one kickoff return for 14 yards through the first two games this season. He played 11 snaps, all on special teams.

He has rushed for 3,755 yards and 22 touchdowns and caught 365 passes for 2,990 yards and 14 scores in 129 NFL games (30 starts) with the Cincinnati Bengals (2013-20) and Tampa Bay.

Rookie running back Rachaad White will make his second straight start when the Buccaneers (5-5) visit the Browns (3-7), with Fournette missing his first game of the season.

Fournette sustained a hip pointer in the second half of the Nov. 13 victory against the Seattle Seahawks in Munich, Germany, but did not make enough progress during Tampa Bay’s bye week to get on the field this weekend.

Fournette, 27, has rushed for 462 yards and three scores in 10 games this season, his third campaign with the Bucs and sixth in the NFL.

White, 23, carried 22 times for a season-high 105 yards against the Seahawks. He has 357 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown in 10 games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) runs under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Lawrence Guy (93) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Saleh: Jets yet to decide QB1 after Zach Wilson clunker

With Zach Wilson firmly under the microscope in the Big Apple, New York Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters Monday afternoon that he has yet to decide who will start at quarterback Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

Wilson had his worst performance of the season Sunday in a 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots. The second-year quarterback completed 9 of 22 passes for just 77 yards and ran three times for 26 yards.

He caught heat after the game when he was asked if he thought he let the Jets’ defense down. The heat came because of his one-word answer: “No.”

Saleh said Monday he informed Wilson that his status as New York’s starter was uncertain. Mike White and Joe Flacco are the other quarterbacks on the Jets’ 53-man roster.

“We’re keeping everything on the table over the next couple of days,” Saleh said.

The coach defended the former No. 2 overall draft pick from some of the off-the-field criticism, saying, “I don’t think Zach lacks in leadership.”

Wilson missed the first three games of the season while recovering from a preseason knee injury. The Jets won the first four games he started upon his return but are 1-2 since, with both losses coming to New England.

Wilson has completed 55.6 percent of his passes this year – matching last season’s rate – and has 1,279 passing yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. His career touchdown-to-interception ratio through 20 career games is 13:16.

The Jets (6-4) are in the thick of the AFC playoff race and are just one game behind the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills, the AFC East co-leaders. New York owns a win over both Miami and Buffalo.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo cornerback Tre'Davious White hits the stationary bikes as he works his way back from an injury, on the opening day of the Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester Sunday, July 24, 2022.

Sd 072422 Bills Camp 5 Spts

Bills CB Tre’Davious White to join 53-man roster Wednesday

Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White joins the active roster on Wednesday, but Buffalo will not make a decision on his gameday status until gauging his readiness to take the field for the first time since his Thanksgiving Day 2021 knee injury.

White has been on the practice field with the Bills for three weeks. He was designated to return from the physically unable to perform list before the Week 7 bye but wasn’t added to the roster last week before the Sunday night game with the Green Bay Packers.

White, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, tore his ACL during a win over the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 25 last season.

McDermott said earlier in October that the Bills want to make sure they “crawl before we walk” with White.

White, 27, has spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with Buffalo and played in 72 games, all starts.

He was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2019 along with earning Pro Bowl nods in 2019 and 2020. He has 16 interceptions, 60 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 279 tackles for his career.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo cornerback Tre'Davious White hits the stationary bikes as he works his way back from an injury, on the opening day of the Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester Sunday, July 24, 2022.

Sd 072422 Bills Camp 5 Spts

Bills Pro Bowl CB Tre’Davious White designated for return from PUP list

Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White was designated to return from the physically unable to perform list, but he will not play this week when Buffalo matches up with the Kansas City Chiefs.

White, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, tore his ACL during a Thanksgiving Day win over the New Orleans Saints last season. He’s been on the PUP list and designated him for return gives the Bills a 21-day window to place White on the 53-man roster.

“We’re just excited for him to be out there,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said in confirming White would practice with the Bills on Wednesday for the first time since November.

“I don’t want to get into the details too much. We’re going to not only take it day by day, but play by play. Tre’ has worked extremely hard, but we want to crawl before we walk.”

After playing the Chiefs on Sunday, the Bills have a bye week before a game with the Green Bay Packers in Week 8.

White, 27, has spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with Buffalo and played in 72 games, all starts.

He was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2019 along with earning Pro Bowl nods in 2019 and 2020. He has 16 interceptions, 60 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 279 tackles for his career.

–Field Level Media

Oct 10, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Bills delay roster decision on CB Tre’Davious White

The Buffalo Bills won’t make a roster move regarding star cornerback Tre’Davious White until they absolutely must.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane told reporters Tuesday that the team is delaying its decision on whether the injured White would need to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list.

“We’re trying to run out the clock here. It gives us another week,” Beane said of White. “I know people want answers (about a return date). Candidly, we don’t have them.”

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, White tore his ACL during a Thanksgiving Day win over the New Orleans Saints last year. He’s been on the PUP list throughout training camp.

The Bills could activate White and include him on their Week 1 roster, but if they place him on reserve/PUP before the final roster cut deadline next Tuesday, he would have to miss the first four games of the regular season. By not making the move yet, the team is holding out hope that he could be ready for Week 1.

White, 27, has spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with Buffalo and played in 72 games, all starts. He was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2019 along with earning Pro Bowl nods in 2019 and 2020. He has 16 interceptions, 60 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 279 tackles for his career.

Beane was more certain of the fate of guard Ike Boettger, telling reporters Boettger would remain on the PUP list entering the regular season and miss at least the first four games. Boettger tore his left Achilles tendon and had surgery in December.

–Field Level Media

Eagles' De'Vante Bausby warms up before facing the New York Giants Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

Sports Eagles

Commanders sign CB De’Vante Bausby

The Washington Commanders signed free agent cornerback De’Vante Bausby on Thursday.

Bausby, 29, appeared in 26 NFL games (six starts) for four teams from 2016 to 2020.

He just completed a season with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals.

Bausby recorded 60 tackles and eight passes defensed with the Chicago Bears (2016), Philadelphia Eagles (2018), Denver Broncos (2019-20) and Arizona Cardinals (2020).

Washington waived linebacker Drew White with an injury designation to make room for Bausby on the roster.

–Field Level Media

Feb 8, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; A Cincinnati Bengals helmet is seen with the Super Bowl LVI numerals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals unveil white alternate helmet

The Cincinnati Bengals revealed an alternate white helmet with black tiger stripes on Friday.

The defending AFC champions teased a new look earlier this month, provided they receive 10,000 likes from their fans on Twitter.

On Friday, the Bengals honored their word with a 10-second video.

The Bengals did not announce the games in which they will wear their alternate helmets.

The New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and New York Jets are among the other teams that have revealed new alternate helmets during this offseason. The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back their white helmets as well.

–Field Level Media

Jan 18, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers logo on a fans jacket prior to the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee hires UCF’s Danny White as athletic director

Tennessee hired Danny White as its new athletic director on Thursday.

White has been serving in the same role at UCF for the past five-plus years. He also was the AD at Buffalo for 3 1/2 years before taking over the Knights’ athletic program in November of 2015.

“Danny White is an innovative leader in college athletics with a strong track record in recruiting and developing leaders,” Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman said in a statement. “He brings the combination of winning attitude, competitive drive, and dedication to integrity and academics that we are looking for.”

White replaces Philip Fulmer, who said earlier this week that he would retire once the new hire is in place.

“I am thrilled to be headed to Knoxville and to a university with a great competitive tradition and a spirited and devoted fan base,” White said. “Volunteer fans have an expectation to win, and my first task will be taking on the search for a new head football coach. But I want all Vols to know that I am deeply committed to excellence in all of our athletic programs.”

Tennessee fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt on Monday following an internal investigation into the program’s recruiting violations.

The Volunteers have fallen on hard times as a football program with eight losing seasons in the past 13 campaigns.

White helped lead a turnaround at UCF. The Orlando school went 0-12 in 2015 and but it later went 13-0 in 2017 and 12-1 in 2018.

UCF billed itself as national champions following the 2017 season under coach Scott Frost when it wasn’t seriously considered for a College Football Playoff spot.

When Frost left for Nebraska, White promoted Josh Heupel to head coach and the latter was a combined 22-4 over his first two seasons.

White signed a five-year extension reportedly worth more than $1 million annually with UCF in March of 2020.

White is the son of Duke athletic director Kevin White and the brother of Florida basketball coach Mike White.

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2020; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Noah Johnson (0) carries the ball against Memphis Tigers defensive back Quindell Johnson (15) during the first half  at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

White helps Memphis edge South Florida

Brady White threw a touchdown pass to Calvin Austin with 63 seconds left, and Riley Patterson’s extra point provided the winning margin as host Memphis rallied to defeat South Florida 34-33 in an American Athletic Conference game on Saturday afternoon.

White completed 30 of 50 passes for 437 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. Austin, a wide receiver, had five catches for 102 yards and two scores. Tight end Sean Dykes had seven catches for 147 yards and two scores.

Memphis (4-2, 3-2 AAC) trailed by 13 points with less than 3:30 left in the fourth quarter but managed to improve its home record this season to 4-0.

USF (1-6, 0-5) is the only winless team in AAC play this season. The Bulls have lost five straight road games, dating to last season.

Bulls quarterback Noah Johnson completed 20 of 29 passes for 217 yards, two TDs and no interceptions.

The Bulls also got four Spencer Shrader field goals — all of them longer than 40 yards.

In addition, South Florida’s defense came up with a pick-six by Daquan Evans and also turned Memphis over on downs three times, all in the first half.

But the Bulls’ defense could not come up with the stop they needed in the final seconds.

Evans intercepted a White pass in the second quarter and ran it 51 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bulls a 13-6 lead. The pass was a long out pattern, intended for Austin, but Evans stepped in front of it for the fourth pick of his career and his third this year.

White countered with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Austin, tying the score 13-13. White beat a blitz by lofting the ball over the top of South Florida’s defense.

South Florida closed its best first half of the season with a pair of Johnson TD throws — 75 yards to Kelley Joiner and 3 yards to Mitchell Brinkman. On his big play, Joiner was wide open in a gap in Memphis’ zone and raced the final 52 yards to the end zone.

Shrader’s third and fourth field goals of the game gave South Florida a 33-20 lead.

But Memphis cut its deficit to 33-27 on White’s 10-yard TD pass to Dykes with 3:19 left in the game.

The Tigers then forced a three-and-out punt and got the ball back on their own 24 with 2:23 left. White then led the winning, eight-play, 76-yard touchdown drive.

–Field Level Media