Cowboys continuing their weekly defensive shuffle
Mariota’s status remains up in air for Tennessee
FRISCO, Texas — Dallas linebacker Anthony Hitchens practiced fully for the first time this season coming off a knee injury on the same day Charles Tapper broke a foot, likely the start of a lengthy absence for the defensive end.
Pass rusher David Irving is ready after serving a four-game suspension, two weeks removed from fellow defensive lineman Damontre Moore rejoining the team following a two-game ban.
Injuries and suspensions have meant little continuity for a unit that has been up and down through four games, and now looking at a few more changes going into a visit from Green Bay.
“That’s always something that’s important, for guys to have the opportunity to get to play with each other and know each other that much better on the field,” linebacker Justin Durant said. “I’m not going to use that as an excuse. You’ve got to know what you’re supposed to do and make the calls and play with whoever we have.”
All-Pro linebacker Sean Lee missed the 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday with a hamstring injury, and the Cowboys (2-2) are optimistic he can play Sunday against the Packers (3-1) even though he missed practice Wednesday.
If Lee returns, he’ll be the second veteran to miss one game with an injury. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick broke a hand in the opener and was sidelined for a blowout loss in Denver.
DOLPHINS: Jay Cutler wore the beginning of a beard Wednesday, perhaps because there’s no time to shave when you’re trying to figure out how to score a few points.
The whiskers framed a rueful smile when someone suggested to Cutler that the Miami offense has struggled this year. “That,” he said, “is an understatement.” In the wake of a 20-0 loss to New Orleans, the Dolphins (1-2) rank last in the NFL in points and yards per game, yards per play and third-down conversions. They’ve scored two touchdowns in three games and hope to break out Sunday against the Tennessee Titans (2-2).
While Cutler doesn’t sugarcoat the situation, he said it’s not as awful as it seems.
“On the outside it looks like all the walls are falling and we’re really bad and there’s no hope and no prayer for us,” he said. “But we’re close. We’re right there. If we clean up a few things here, we can be a competitive team offensively.”
Cutler acknowledges he has been part of the problem. He has appeared unsettled in the pocket and has made erratic or weak throws. As a result he ranks 29th in yards per attempt and 25th in QB rating.
STEELERS: Antonio Brown is nearly getting as much practice at saying “I’m sorry” as he is at catching touchdowns.
The Pittsburgh star WR apologized via Twitter on Wednesday for his sideline outburst early in his team’s victory in Baltimore last Sunday. Brown broke free on Pittsburgh’s second possession and was wide open down the left sideline.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn’t see Brown and instead threw the ball short. Brown briefly lost his cool afterward, taking out his frustration on a Gatorade cooler in the process.
“Apologize for all the noise and the distractions Steeler nation let’s stay focus,” the All-Pro posted.
Roethlisberger described Brown’s actions as a “temper tantrum” during the quarterback’s weekly radio show and coach Mike Tomlin encouraged Brown to be “professional.”
PACKERS: Green Bay’s Davante Adams has returned to practice after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Chicago linebacker Danny Trevathan that led to the receiver being carted off the field on a stretcher.
Adams was taken to a hospital for evaluation after being knocked out of the game Sept. 28 and was released the next day.
Adams is in the concussion protocol, though his return to practice on a limited basis is a good sign for Green Bay. He was moving well on the practice field.
Trevathan’s two-game suspension by the NFL was reduced to one this week.
TITANS: Coach Mike Mularkey says QB Marcus Mariota is still unclear for the upcoming matchup with Miami.
Mularkey remains hopeful Mariota will play despite a strained hamstring .
Mariota, hurt in Sunday’s loss to Houston, was limited in practice Wednesday.
The Titans (2-2) signed Brandon Weeden to a one-year deal Tuesday as a third quarterback, and Mularkey says Weeden’s familiarity with the Titans’ offense was the deciding factor.
NEWTON: Carolina QB Cam Newton has “expressed regret” for his response to a female reporter’s question at a news conference Wednesday, a team spokesman said.
When Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked Newton about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running, the former league MVP smiled and said, “it’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.”
Carolina spokesman Steven Drummond said in a statement to the AP that Newton had a conversation with Rodrigue after the news conference ended and expressed regret for his remarks.
Rodrigue released a statement through The Charlotte Observer via email saying that Newton did not apologize when they spoke after the news conference.
SEAHAWKS: Rees Odhiambo left Seattle’s CenturyLink Field last Sunday in an ambulance, headed for a hospital to be examined for breathing problems caused by a bruised sternum. By this Sunday, he could be back in the Seahawks lineup at left tackle.
Odhiambo was back on the practice field just three days after an alarming postgame scene.