News, notes and all of today’s Week 14 matchups
The Miami Dolphins announced Saturday that star ting running back Myles Gaskin was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The team didn’t immediately divulge if Gaskin tested positive for COVID-19 or was placed on the list due to close contact with an infected person.
The loss of Gaskin for today’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) is a big blow. The Dolphins (8-4) previously ruled out Matt Breida (reserve/COVID-19 list) and Salvon Ahmed (shoulder).
Gaskin racked up 141 scrimmage yards (90 rushing, 51 receiving) in last Sunday’s 19-7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The second-year back leads Miami with 477 rushing yards in eight games.
The Dolphins added running back Elijah McGuire to the active roster.
McGuire will likely be Miami’s third running back against the Chiefs. He hasn’t touched the ball this season but totaled 591 rushing yards in 24 games for the New York Jets in 2017-18.
Patrick Laird and DeAndre Washington figure to handle most of the workload. However, Washington may be at less than full strength after missing the Cincinnati game due to a hamstring injury.
Laird, a second- year pro, has rushed for 33 yards on seven carries this season, while Washington has 56 yards on 18 rushes in three games (two with Miami, one with Kansas City). T he Dolphins acquired Washington from the Chiefs at the trading deadline.
BROWNS WILL AGAIN BE MINUS WARD >> The Cleveland Browns won’t have top cornerback Denzel Ward for their matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night as he continues to be slowed by a calf strain.
The team still doesn’t know if starting tight end Austin Hooper will be ready. He missed his second straight practice Saturday with a neck injury.
Earlier this week, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski expressed hope Ward might be able to make it back. But the 2018 first-round draft pick, who is having a Pro Bowlcaliber season, will miss his third game in a row.
NUGENT WILL KICK FOR CARDINALS >> The Arizona Cardinals promoted Mike Nugent to the active roster and ruled out fellow kicker Zane Gonzalez for today’s game against the New York Giants.
Gonzalez was nursing a back injury and had been listed as questionable to play for the Cardinals (6- 6).
Nugent, 38, had a brief stint with the New England Patriots last season. In four games, Nugent converted 5 of 8 field goal attempts and 15 of 16 extra-point tries.
Nugent has made 258 of 319 field-goal attempts and 378 of 393 extra-point tries in 168 career games with eight different teams from 2005-19.
Gonzalez has converted 16 of 22 field-goal attempts and 38 of 39 extra-point tries this season.
PANTHERS FINE PLAYERS >> The Carolina Panthers are fining players who broke COVID-19 protocol rules during their bye week at least $10,000, ESPN reported.
The team placed eight players on the reser ve/ COVID-19 list on Monday: wide receivers D. J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, defensive tackles Derrick Brown and Zach Kerr, linebacker Shaq Thompson, tackle Greg Little, punter Michael Palardy and practice squad wideout Ishmael Hyman.
Some of those players reportedly gathered outside of the team facility, contrary to NFL and NFLPA protocols.
Six of the players have been activated and are set to play today when the Panthers (4-8) host the Denver Broncos (4- 8). Moore and Kerr remain on the reserve/ COVID-19 list.