Lee banned for final four games of season
New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee, 24, was suspended four games by the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy.
The league announced the suspension Friday, a few hours after the Jets completed their last full practice before leaving for Buffalo to play the Bills on Sunday.
The suspension begins immediately, meaning Lee will sit out the team’s final four games of the season. Lee was having his best season since being drafted 20th overall in 2016 out of Ohio State.
He ranked second on the Jets in total tackles with 99.
Jets quarterback under wraps
The New York Jets’ starting quarterback against the Buffalo Bills is still to be determined.
All signs indicate it will be rookie Sam Darnold under center after he was a full participant at practice all week following missing three games with a strained right foot. Coach Todd Bowles declined, however, to announce Friday whether it will be Darnold or Josh McCown.
“We’ll decide that on Sunday,” Bowles said.
Receiver Benjamin joins the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs signed wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to a one-year contract, taking a low-risk gamble that they can become the team that finally allows the 2014 first-round draft pick to live up to expectations. The Chiefs announced the deal Friday, one day after Benjamin was invited for a visit. They released defensive end Jar vis Jenkins to create roster space.
More than 1,000 say goodbye to McNair
More than 1,000 of Bob McNair’s friends, members of the Houston and NFL community, players and coaches past and present, gathered to pay respects and say goodbye to the former Texans owner, who brought the NFL back to Houston for its inaugural season in 2002 after the Oilers moved to Tennessee.
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker ,a close friend of McNair’s, opened up tributes by saying the gathering was in the “House That Bob Built.” Baker said he and McNair enjoyed a love of politics, football and quail hunting.
Etc.
The Carolina Panthers signed Chandler Catanzaro to handle kicking duties against the Browns on Sunday. Carolina’s regular kicker, Graham Gano, has been bothered by a knee injury . ... NFL interception leader Xavien Howard was ruled out of the Miami Dolphins’ game Sunday against New England because of a left knee injury . ... After missing practice the last two days with a foot injury, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones had limited participation on Friday and is expected to play in Sunday’s game at Green Bay.