Bills trade Watkins to Rams, acquire Eagles’ Matthews
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills’ offseason overhaul isn’t over yet now that receiver Sammy Watkins and cornerback Ronald Darby became the latest players to be sent packing.
The Bills dealt both starters in separate blockbuster trades Friday in an effort to reshape the roster under new coach Sean McDermott.
Watkins was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, while Darby was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles. Buffalo addressed both positions by acquiring receiver Jordan Matthews from Philadelphia and cornerback E.J. Gaines from the Rams.
The Bills also continued looking to the future by further stockpiling 2018 draft selections. They acquired a secondround pick from L.A. and a third-rounder from the Eagles, while also sending a sixth-round pick to the Rams. Buffalo now has two picks in each of the first three rounds next year after acquiring the Kansas City Chiefs’ firstround selection in April.
Tannehill to have surgery, end year
Ryan Tannehill has decided surgery can no longer be avoided.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback will undergo an operation to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will miss the entire season, a person familiar with the decision said.
Tannehill will be placed on injured reserve, the person said.
Jay Cutler, who parted with the Chicago Bears after eight seasons, agreed to delay his fledgling network TV career and signed a $10 million, oneyear contract Monday to replace Tannehill.
Also, rookie linebacker Raekwon McMillan will miss the season with a torn ACL in his right knee, a person familiar with the matter said.
Flacco won’t play before opener
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will soon return to practice, but he won’t play in a game before Baltimore opens the regular season on Sept. 10 at Cincinnati.
The Ravens announced Friday that Flacco’s progress from a back injury is “good,” and that he will begin practicing in the preseason. The 10-year pro has not taken a snap at training camp.
Jaguars release tackle Albert
The Jacksonville Jaguars released left tackle Branden Albert, ending a strange saga that lasted nearly two weeks.
The Jaguars and Albert, 32, had been locked in a stalemate over how the sides would part ways. Albert left the team Aug. 31, telling coach Doug Marrone he planned to retire.
The Jaguars responded by placing Albert on the exempt/left squad list, meaning he had five days to return or he would forfeit his current contract and be unable to play in the league in 2017.
Odds and ends
A person with knowledge of the diagnosis says Broncos nose tackle Billy Winn will miss the season with a serious right knee injury. … Ravens offensive lineman Alex Lewis will miss the season with a shoulder injury. it.