Dolphins deal defensive back to the Steelers
Miami Dolphins defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday for a 2020 first-round pick, according to reports.
A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the trade to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams hadn’t confirmed it. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Miami is sending a 2020 fourth-rounder and 2021 seventh-rounder to Pittsburgh and also receiving a 2020 fifth-rounder and 2021 sixth-rounder.
The rebuilding Dolphins (0-2), who have purged their roster to accumulate draft picks, now have three firstround choices in 2020. While putting a priority on the future, they’ve been outscored 102-10 so far this season.
The Steelers (0-2) can use Fitzpatrick’s help. In two games they’ve allowed 640 yards through the air and six touchdown passes. They’re also reeling from the loss of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to an elbow injury.
Fitzpatrick, the 11th pick in last year’s draft, was unhappy with his role with the Dolphins and received permission to seek a trade. He played free safety for Miami in Sunday’s 43-0 loss to New England and had six tackles and a fumble recovery.
When the Dolphins put Fitzpatrick at strong safety during training camp, his mother complained on Twitter that he was being asked to play out of position. He said she wasn’t wrong.
The situation came to a head following a seasonopening 59-10 loss to Baltimore, in which Fitzpatrick struggled and the Dolphins tied a team record by allowing six touchdown passes in the most lopsided defeat in franchise history.
New allegations against Brown
New England receiver Antonio Brown’s availability is again in limbo this week, with the NFL preparing to meet with the former trainer who filed a civil lawsuit accusing the star receiver of rape and sexual assault, and new allegations arising.
Sports Illustrated published a story Monday in which a second woman, an unnamed artist, alleged that Brown exposed himself to her while she was working on a mural for him at his Pittsburgh home in 2017.
In a statement on Twitter, Brown’s lawyer said his client denied the allegation, just as he did in response to the lawsuit.
The NFL declined to comment. But the league told the Patriots last week it was opening an investigation into the matter.
Brown has not spoken publicly since the lawsuit was filed and did not address reporters leading up to his Patriots debut Sunday against Miami. He also was not available after the game or on Monday.
Though the allegations against Brown made him subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, he played and scored a touchdown in the Patriots’ 43-0 win. The Associated Press reported that Brown was not placed on the commissioner’s exempt list last week and was eligible to play because no criminal charges had been filed against him and because the NFL hadn’t developed its investigation.
Ramsey wants trade
Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey requested a trade, according to reports, after a sideline argument with Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone.
The Jaguars, 0-2 for the first time in Marrone’s three seasons, are willing to entertain offers, the Associated Press reports.
Ramsey was upset Marrone didn’t challenge DeAndre Hopkins’ first-down catch late in the first quarter of Sunday’s 13-12 loss at Houston. The Texans moved the chains and ended the drive with a field goal. Ramsey said something to Marrone as he walked off the field and Marrone responded by getting in Ramsey’s face and yelling.
“Those things, they happen all the time,” Marrone said Monday.
No Vinatieri news
Indianapolis kicker Adam Vinatieri left the team complex Monday without speaking to reporters, though he promised a day earlier he would as speculation swirled that the 46year-old might retire.
Coach Frank Reich insists he’s sticking by his kicker, who’s the NFL’s career scoring leader but missed five of eight kicks in the first two games including three extra points, matching his single-season career high.
“We have the confidence and belief that he will figure it out,” Reich said. “He will do what he needs to do. Has it been two weeks of subpar? Yes. Is it catastrophic? No. Some of the most elite players that I have ever seen or played with or coached, I have seen them have two bad weeks in a row.”