Jets’ White picked to start vs. Bills
The New York Jets will keep rolling with Mike White at quarterback for now. And maybe a while longer.
Coach Robert Saleh announced Wednesday the decision to start White against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, with rookie Zach Wilson still recovering from a sprained knee ligament. Wilson, cleared to return to practice this week, was limited Wednesday while running the scout team.
“We had a feeling on Monday with Zach’s knee that he’s not fully ready to go,” Saleh said.
Saleh added the long-term decision at quarterback will be made “day to day,” raising the possibility White could continue to start even when Wilson has healed. That’s a departure from Monday, when Saleh said Wilson would start again when he is healthy rather than sit.
Browns: Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski would not disclose whether star running back Nick Chubb is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, leaving his status for Sunday’s game against New England uncertain . ... The Browns signed three-time Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio to a three-year, $48 million contract extension through the 2025 season.
Cowboys: Dallas is adding kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, who is in line to make his NFL debut if Greg Zuerlein doesn’t clear COVID-19 protocols before Sunday’s game against Atlanta.
Packers: Green Bay was fined $300,000 and quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Allen Lazard were fined $14,650 by the NFL for violating the league’s COVID-19 protocols.
Panthers: Sam Darnold will miss at least four weeks with a right shoulder injury, meaning P.J. Walker will take over at quarterback for Carolina.
Vikings: Minnesota has been operating this week under the NFL’S intensive virus protocols, as five players remained on the COVID-19 reserve list Wednesday and one had to be hospitalized with a breathing trouble. Coach Mike Zimmer declined to identify the player, whom he said was admitted to the emergency room Tuesday with pneumonia-like symptoms before his condition improved. “He’s stable now,” Zimmer said Wednesday, “but it was scary.” According to a person with knowledge of the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about it, backup guard Dakota Dozier was the player who had to be hospitalized. Dozier is vaccinated for COVID-19 . ... Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, facing a personal injury lawsuit from a former girlfriend for allegedly assaulting her during an altercation at his home last year, maintained Wednesday he was the victim in the fight.
Notes: Former Las Vegas Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs III was charged Wednesday with four felonies and a misdemeanor for his role in a crash last week in Las Vegas that killed a woman. Ruggs, 22, did not appear at the hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court, where he was formally charged with two counts of driving under the influence causing death or substantial harm. He was also charged with two counts of reckless driving, which is considered a felony in Nevada if it results in death or physical injury.