Lions fire coach Patricia, GM
The Lions on Saturday fired general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia, ending their attempt to replicate the success the two helped coach Bill Belichick achieve with the Patriots.
The Lions ( 4- 7) lost consecutive games for the third time this season when they fell 41- 25 to the Texans on Thursday after getting shut out for the first time in 11 years by the Panthers last Sunday.
The setbacks dropped Patricia to 13- 29- 1 in two- plus seasons, and Quinn’s record fell 12 games below .500 in four- plus seasons.
Quinn was part of the Patriots’ personnel department for 16 years before the Lions gave him his first chance to run an NFL front office in January 2016. After firing coach Jim Caldwell after the 2017 season, he hired Patricia, who had been on Belichick’s staff for 14 seasons, including six as defensive coordinator.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will be the Lions’ interim coach for the last five games this season. The GM duties will be handled on an interim basis by Kyle O’Brien,
Lance Newmark, Rob Lohman and Mike Disner, all of whom worked for Quinn.
Broncos lose all 4 QBs to virus protocols
The Broncos confirmed reports they won’t have any of their four quarterbacks available when they face the Saints on Sunday because of coronavirus concerns.
Starter Drew Lock, backup Brett Rypien and practice- squad veteran Blake Bortles were deemed high- risk close contacts with No. 3 quarterback Jeff Driskel on Wednesday, the day before Driskel tested positive for COVID- 19. The four apparently weren’t wearing their masks the whole time they were together, as required by the NFL’s pandemic protocols.
The Broncos reportedly were scrambling to prepare practice- squad receiver Kendall Hinton and No. 3 running back Royce Freeman to share snaps against the Saints. Hinton played quarterback for three seasons in college at Wake Forest, and Freeman is the Broncos’ emergency quarterback.
More COVID news
The Ravens put six more players on the COVID- 19 list. The moves further deplete an already- thin roster ahead of their game Tuesday against the Steelers, which initially was scheduled for Thanksgiving before being bumped to Sunday and then to Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a day after putting three players on the COVID- 19 list, the Steelers had more positive tests — including one from running back James Conner — a source told ESPN. Conner, a cancer survivor, is in good health at this time, the source said.
† The 49ers might have to find a temporary new home after Santa Clara County banned all contact sports from holding games and practices for three weeks, effective Monday, because of rising coronavirus cases.
The 49ers have home games scheduled for Dec. 7 against the Bills and Dec. 13 against Washington at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
† The Colts will be without rookie running back Jonathan Taylor on Sunday against the Titans after he was put on the COVID- 19 list.
QB Tagovailoa doubtful for Dolphins
Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was downgraded to doubtful for the team’s game Sunday against the Jets because of an injured thumb on his left ( throwing) hand. That means veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick likely will make his first start since Oct. 18.