League stands by Bennett
In response to claims Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett made Wednesday alleging that Las Vegas police singled him out for being black and using excessive force, the police’s union wrote a letter to NFL commissioner Roger NFL
Goodell asking for an investigation of Bennett.
Later in the day, though, the NFL sent out a short and forceful statement saying it found no such investigation necessary.
“There is no allegation of a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy and therefore there is no basis for an NFL investigation,” the statement read.
The letter from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association Metro, Inc., claimed that Bennett made “false and defamatory” comments about the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and asked Goodell to “take appropriate action, into Michael Bennett’s obvious false allegations against our officers.”
The letter also notes Bennett has been sitting for the anthem and states “While the NFL may condone Bennett’s disrespect for our American Flag, and everything it symbolizes, we hope the League will not ignore Bennett’s false accusations against our officers.”
OBJ still out
Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. missed his third practice this week and his status for the season opener against the Cowboys in Dallas remains in doubt because of a sprained left ankle.
For the second straight day, Beckham stretched with teammates before the practice and then worked with a trainer after the calisthenics ended. Beckham has not practiced since being hurt in a preseason game against Cleveland on Aug. 21. Coach Ben McAdoo said the receiver has not been cleared to practice by medical personnel . . . .
All-Pro receiver Julio Jones said he is 100 percent healthy with Atlanta’s opener three days away at Chicago. Jones had right foot surgery in March and took just eight snaps in one preseason game, but he’s been practicing with no restraints for three weeks.
Top pick goes down
Myles Garrett’s NFL debut for the Browns won’t happen for weeks. Is that Cleveland’s luck or what?
The top overall pick in this year’s draft will miss Sunday’s opener against Pittsburgh and possibly a few more games after suffering a high right ankle sprain during practice.
A teammate fell on the back of Garrett’s leg during a drill Wednesday, and the impressive rookie defensive end stayed on the field as long as he could before succumbing to pain.
Garrett is not expected to need surgery.
Also yesterday, Cleveland released safety Calvin Pryor, a former-first round pick by the Jets, shortly after he was involved in a fight with wide receiver Ricardo Louis.
Coach Hue Jackson did not provide any details of the skirmish, which took place before practice.
Burfict’s big deal
The Bengals signed linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who’s suspended for the first three games this season for his egregious hit on Kansas City fullback Anthony Sherman in a preseason game, to a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2020 season.
Burfict has been a key playmaker on Marvin Lewis’ defense, but has also been fined eight times and suspended twice in five seasons . . . .
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags will be in footballs used in every NFL game this season, allowing knowledge of the speed, location and even their rotation. The technology, similar to what’s used to make credit cards more secure, was tested last season during the preseason and in Thursday night games.