Garrett done for season after incident
Myles Garrett is done playing for the Browns this season. The NFL isn’t saying when the star defensive end will play again.
Garrett was suspended for at least the rest of the regular season and postseason by the league Friday, hours after he shockingly used a helmet “as a weapon” by striking Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head.
Garrett’s violent outburst in the final seconds of Thursday’s 21-7 victory over the Steelers landed him the longest suspension for a single on-field infraction in league history. The Titans’ Albert Haynesworth was suspended five games in 2006.
The league’s No. 1 overall pick in 2017 was also fined an undisclosed amount and Garrett must meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office before his reinstatement is considered.
After wrestling Rudolph to the ground as the Browns were closing out a rare win over their rivals, Garrett ripped off the quarterback’s helmet and clobbered him on top of the head, triggering a benches-clearing brawl that capped another physical game between the AFC North teams.
“I made a terrible mistake,” Garrett said in a statement Friday. “I lost my cool and what I did was selfish and unacceptable. I know that we are all responsible for our actions and I can only prove my true character through my actions moving forward. I want to apologize to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organization, our fans and to the NFL. I know I have to be accountable for what happened, learn from my mistake and I fully intend to do so.”
Rudolph, who suffered a concussion earlier this season, avoided serious injury and said after the game the defensive star’s attack was “cowardly and bush league.“That sentiment was shared across the league and sports world.
The league said Garrett “violated unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules, as well as fighting and removing an opponent’s helmet and using it as a weapon.”
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, who was doing all he could to separate Garrett and Rudolph, was suspended three games without pay and also fined for punching and kicking Garrett. Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended for one game. He shoved Rudolph to the ground from behind during the melee.
The suspended players have three business days to appeal their penalties.
The Steelers and Browns were also fined $250,000 each.
The Browns and Steelers play again in Pittsburgh on Dec. 1.
Ajayi back with Eagles: The Eagles signed running back Jay Ajayi, bringing back a key offensive player from their Super Bowl championship team two years ago.
Ajayi replaces Darren Sproles. The veteran was placed on injured reserve because of a torn right hip flexor muscle.
The Eagles’ leading rusher, Jordan Howard, has a shoulder injury and is questionable when the Eagles (5-4) host the Patriots (8-1) on Sunday. Coach Doug Pederson said Ajayi could play despite not practicing with the team.
Ajayi hasn’t played in the NFL since he tore an ACL last Oct. 7. He had 592 yards rushing in 10 games in 2017, including playoffs, after the Eagles acquired him from the Dolphins midway through the season.
Ajayi ran for 57 yards in the Eagles’ 41-33 win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and linebacker Nigel Bradham are out Sunday because of ankle injuries.
Callahan out: The Broncos placed cornerback Bryce Callahan on injured reserve and will bring second-year wide receiver Tim Patrick off IR to take his roster spot before their game Sunday against the Vikings.
Coach Vic Fangio said Friday that Callahan will undergo surgery soon to replace a bent screw in his right foot that was implanted last December to hold broken bones together and allow them to heal properly.
“This time we need to make sure the screw doesn’t bend,” Fangio said. “We need to go to a better hardware store.”