Vikings unhappy Olsen calling Rams game
Fox TV is limiting the pregame access guest analyst Greg Olsen will have to the Vikings this week, in response to concerns raised by the team about an opposing player on the broadcast crew.
The Vikings host the Rams on Sunday, when Olsen and the Panthers are on their bye. Olsen has missed the last eight games with a broken foot, but he could return from injured reserve in a week. The Vikings play Dec. 10 at Carolina.
Fox Sports issued a statement Tuesday confirming the restriction for Olsen, the three- time Pro Bowl tight end. Fox officials said they “fully respect” the concerns of the Vikings.
Matt Hasselbeck ( 2014) and Marcus Allen ( 1994) are other players who’ve worked as analysts for Fox while still an active player.
Papa John’s apologizes
NFL sponsor Papa John’s apologized two weeks after its founder and CEO, John Schnatter, questioned league leadership for its handling of player protests during the national anthem.
In a series of Twitter posts, the official pizza company of the NFL reiterated that the business challenges related to the league did impact its own business, but the company backtracked on Schnatter’s opinion at the time that player protests “should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago.”
The company went on to tweet that it “will work with the players and league to find a positive way forward. Open to ideas from all.”
Panthers WR Samuel out
Panthers rookie wide receiver Curtis Samuel is out for the season after suffering ligament damage in his left ankle during the team’s 45- 21 win Monday night against the Dolphins.
That means Carolina will be looking for a new starting wide receiver heading into the bye week.
Samuel injured his ankle in the third quarter when a defensive player rolled over his ankle in the end zone.
This and that
The Redskins put starting running back Rob Kelley ( ankle, knee) and inside linebacker Will Compton ( foot) on injured reserve.
The Seahawks signed veteran cornerback Byron Maxwell to help make up for the loss of Richard Sherman to a season- ending Achilles tendon injury.
The Bills signed defensive tackle Deandre Coleman to address their run- stopping concerns.
The NFL- leading Eagles signed former Giants offensive lineman Will Beatty to provide more depth.
The NFL’s chief medical officer said more than a third of concussion evaluations so far this season are a result of players indicating they have symptoms, amuch higher percentage than last season.