Haskins gets fined $40,000
Dwayne Haskins was handed a hefty fine Wednesday for partying with several people not wearing a mask but will start at quarterback for Washington on Sunday if Alex Smith isn’t healthy enough to go.
The organization fined Haskins $40,000 for violating COVID-19 protocols, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Haskins apologized to teammates, took the first-team snaps in practice, and is in line to play against Carolina if needed with the NFC East title potentially at stake – as long as he doesn’t test positive for the coronavirus this week. He apologized publicly Tuesday for his actions after photos showing him without a mask around several other people surfaced on social media.
Coach Ron Rivera said Haskins was stripped of his captaincy and bristled at a continued line of questions about the 2019 first-round pick who he benched and demoted to third-string earlier this season. Washington can clinch the NFC East title Sunday if the New York Giants lose to Baltimore and it beats the Panthers.
Smith had led Washington on a fourgame winning streak before straining his right calf Dec. 13 against San Francisco. Haskins started and threw two interceptions in a 20-15 loss to Seattle before celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday that night – the incident that led to the fine.
Smith was a limited in practice Wednesday. The only other quarterbacks Washington has available are Taylor Heinicke and Steven Montez on the practice squad. Heinicke hasn’t played since 2018, and Montez has no NFL experience.
Bevell misses practice: The Detroit Lions resumed practicing without interim coach Darrell Bevell, defensive coordinator Cory Undlin and and some other assistants on the field.
The former Wisconsin standout and Green Bay assistant coach said Wednesday he has not tested positive for COVID-19, but he is among the several coaches affected by contact tracing. The Lions closed their training facility on Tuesday because one player and one coach tested positive for the coronavirus.
“We have not had any new positive tests, which will enable us to be able to go ahead with practice and have the players here in the building,” Bevell said.
Detroit (5-9) is scheduled to host Tampa Bay (5-9) on Saturday, and the reeling and banged-up team might potentially be without its interim coach, defensive coordinator and other assistants.
“By the end of the week, we’ll give you all the information that we need to in terms of the contingency plans that we have for guys in specific roles,” Bevell said. “Obviously, it’s a time where we really do need to adjust.”
Bevell said he is “super frustrated,” in part because he was quarantined Tuesday on his 28th anniversary.
“I’m stuck in a hotel, can’t be with my wife, can’t spend time,” he said. “So it affects us in a real way.”
Morris interviewing with Falcons regularly: Raheem Morris knows he will be among the candidates interviewed following the season as the Atlanta Falcons seek their coach for 2021 and beyond.
As far as Morris is concerned, that interview process began as soon as he was made the interim coach when Dan Quinn was fired following the team’s 0-5 start. Morris has had regular conversations with Falcons President Rich McKay and team owner Arthur Blank the last two months.