Jets cut ties with veteran back Cook
The New York Jets are waiving running back Dalvin Cook before the final game of the season, according to Cook’s agents LAA Sports & Entertainment.
The 28-year-old Cook had a disappointing tenure with the Jets, who signed the four-time Pro Bowl selection to a oneyear deal worth $7 million — including $5.8 million guaranteed — during the summer.
NFL Network first reported Tuesday that the sides mutually agreed to part ways, citing Cook’s agents, who confirmed the move to The Associated Press. Cook will go through waivers and would become a free agent if he goes unclaimed.
After Aaron Rodgers was lost for the season with a torn left Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut with the Jets, Cook’s role in New York’s offense never materialized.
He has a career-low 214 yards rushing on 67 carries and no touchdowns, and was recently surpassed by rookie Israel Abanikanda as the backup to Breece Hall in the Jets’ backfield. Cook also has just 15 catches for 78 yards — career lows.
Despite his lack of use by the Jets, there will
likely be interest in Cook by teams heading into the playoffs and in need of backfield depth.
Owner fined for throwing drink
The NFL has fined Carolina Panthers chairman David Tepper $300,000 for tossing a drink at fans in Jacksonville toward the end of a game on Sunday.
The league called Tepper's conduct “unacceptable” in a statement released Tuesday.
Tepper’s reaction came after rookie quarterback Bryce Young threw an interception with less than three minutes to play in a 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pickett says team didn’t clear him
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett says the coaching staff felt he wasn’t ready to play against Seattle, which is why he was inactive during Pittsburgh's 30-20 win over the Seahawks.
The second-year pro, who had right ankle surgery a month ago, denied online speculation that he told the coaching staff he didn’t want to suit up as the emergency quarterback behind Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky.
Coach Mike Tomlin said on Monday that Pickett
had been cleared by the medical staff to play but opted to make Pickett inactive because of his lack of reps during practice. Pickett was listed as “questionable” going into the game, but watched from the sideline in sweats while Rudolph guided an offense that piled up 468 yards.
Tomlin opted to stick with Rudolph ahead of a trip to Baltimore on Saturday, where the Steelers (9-7) will try to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win over the AFC North champion Ravens (13-3).
Ex-Packers center Bowman dies at 81
Ken Bowman, who played center for the Green Bay Packers from 1964-73 and was part of three consecutive championship teams, has died. He was 81.
The Packers announced Tuesday that Bowman died last Wednesday in Oro Valley, Ariz. The team did not disclose a cause of death, but the Packers' statement cited Bowman's wife, Roseann, saying he died of natural causes.
Bowman was part of the Packers’ NFL titlewinning team in 1965, the year before the first Super Bowl, and the Super Bowl-winning teams of the next two seasons.