Arians and Brady mum on late mistake in Bucs’ loss to Bears
And coach Bruce Arians is steering clear of speaking for six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, whose fourth- down incompletion sealed the team’s fate in an error-filled 20-19 loss at Soldier Field on Thursday night.
“I don’t know how to answer it for him,” Arians said Friday, reflecting on Brady’s decision to try to move the Bucs closer to field- goal range rather than attempt a shorter throw to pick up a first down on fourth-and- 6 from the Tampa Bay 41.
“We all knew it was fourth down,” the coach added. “I think he saw what he saw.”
After the throw intended for tight end Cameron Brate was broken up by Bears safety DeAndre HoustonCarson, Brady raised four fingers in the air and appeared to be surprised Tampa Bay had turned over the ball on downs with 33 seconds remaining.
If the potential winning drive ended with Brady mistakenly thinking he had another down to try to keep his team’s hopes alive, it wasn’t the only miscue on offense that affected the chances for what would have been a fourth consecutive win.
Brady was sacked three times and knocked down another eight by the Bears (4-1), who overcame three deficits to take the lead for good on Cairo Santos’ 38yard field goal with 1:13 remaining. The Bucs also hurt themselves with a critical first-half fumble and accumulated 11 accepted penalties for 109 yards.
NOT BEARY HAPPY >> Coach Matt Nagy unloaded on the Chicago Bears’ struggling offense, venting about incorrect route running, breakdowns in blocking technique and missed opportunities for quarterback Nick Foles in the win over Tampa Bay on Thursday.
It was an usual tone for the usually upbeat Nagy. But he was clearly agitated a day after the Bears beat Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
“The details right now in this offense are not there,” he said Friday. “So that’s our job as coaches to make sure that we get these freakin’ details right. It’s as simple as that.” JETS GOOD TO GO >> All Jets players and coaches tested negative for COVID-19, and Sunday’s game against Arizona will be played on time.
The Jets posted a statement on social media Friday night, hours after their training facility was closed due to a presumptive positive coronavirus test for one player.
“As we have thus far, we will continue to follow required health and safety protocols in the best interests of our coaches, players, staff and community,” the team said in a statement. “We look forward to our game this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.”
“As of now, it’s business as usual,” Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “We’re heading out (Friday) and getting ready to play on Sunday until told otherwise.”
INJURY UPDATES >> Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith is having season-ending neck surgery, another blow to a Dallas offensive line that will be without both starting tackles for the rest of the year. The Cowboys have been without right tackle La’el Collins all season because of a hip issue that ended up requiring seasonending surgery.
The Chargers placed running back Austin Ekeler (hamstring) on injured reserve, making him the seventh Los Angeles starter to go on IR this season. He led the AFC with 378 scrimmage yards after the first three games. Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley are expected to be the main running backs in Ekeler’s absence.
Dolphins rookie left tackle Austin Jackson went on injured reserve because of an ankle injury.
The Giants placed outside linebacker Oshane Ximines on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
EX-STEELER, ANALYST ILL >> Longtime Steelers offensive lineman and radio broadcaster Tunch Ilkin, 63, has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Ilkin, a two-time Pro Bowler who played 13 of his 14 NFL seasons in Pittsburgh, has served as an analyst on the team’s radio broadcasts since 1998.
NFL TAKING PRIDE >> The NFL has launched a series of initiatives associated with LGBTQ History Month, which includes National Coming Out Day on Sunday and Spirit Day on Thursday.
Included are a dedicated website (NFL.com/PRIDE); a PSA celebrating former NFL players who have come out voicing support; expanded partnerships with GLAAD and The Trevor Project; a pride-themed NFL shield; and an assortment of LGBTQ content airing on NFL Network throughout October.