Winston poised to serve suspension
TAMPA — That’s a wrap for Jameis Winston. You won’t see him on an NFL field again for 37 days.
The Bucs quarterback is suspended the first three games of the regular season. Now we learn he won’t play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium, either.
On Saturday, coach Dirk Koetter announced the obvious and only decision he could make.
Even though Winston will essentially miss four weeks of football (including practice) when he leaves for his suspension sometime following Thursday’s game, playing him behind a third and fourth-team offensive line against the Jags would’ve invited catastrophe.
So Winston will get three more days of practice, a walk-through and some extra time to pack his bags.
Then he will be exiled, NFL style. Unable to have any contact with members of the organization.
Assuming he returns in shape on a short week following a Monday Night game against the Steelers, the next time Winston could play in an NFL game will be at Chicago Sept. 30.
If Winston proved anything this preseason it’s this: the Bucs are going to miss him even more than expected.
As a quarterback, on the field and in the meeting rooms, Winston has improved dramatically.
Winston had the best preseason of his career. He finished 30 of 41 passing for 388 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His 126.9 passer rating is the highest in the NFL among quarterbacks who have attempted 25 passes or more this preseason. (No. 2 is Bucs backup Ryan Griffin at 113.8)
Considering that Winston did it by throwing mostly to second and third team receivers is even more remarkable.
“I think performancewise, you’d have to give Jameis an A for the preseason,” Koetter said. “I don’t think anybody in their right mind wouldn’t say that wasn’t an A performance on his part. I think he handled it well . ... We’re going to miss him when he’s gone and we’ll be glad when he’s back.”
Winston was suspended three games for violating the NFL player conduct policy. After an eightmonth investigation, the league determined Winston touched a female Uber driver in Arizona “in an inappropriate and sexual manner without her consent,” in March of 2016.
The Jacksonville Jaguars might have lost their No. 1 receiver for the season.
Marqise Lee, who led the team in receptions in 2017, injured his left knee in a 17-6 victory against Atlanta in the preseason Saturday night and could be out for the year.
Lee was carted off the field in the first quarter after Falcons cornerback Damontae Kazee went helmet-first into his knee and then twisted his leg. Lee fumbled on the play, but it was overturned because Kazee was flagged for leading with his helmet.
Coach Doug Marrone said “obviously it looked bad,” adding that Lee will have tests Sunday to determine the extent of the injury. Teammates sounded resigned to Lee being sidelined an extended period, maybe even the entire season.
“That's tough,” Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles said. “You hate to see anytime, especially in the preseason.”
Lee was clearly in pain as he got helped onto the cart. Teammates and coaches walked across the field to offer well-wishes as he left the field.
“At the end of the day, we've got to come together as a team, as a unit and pick up where he left off,” fellow receiver Dede Westbrook said.
Lee had 56 catches for 702 yards and three touchdowns last season. He signed a four-year, $34 million contract in March that included $16.5 million guaranteed.
Baltimore Ravens rookie Lamar Jackson gave his friends and family plenty to cheer about Saturday, even if he didn't give them tickets.
The South Florida native led touchdown possessions of 84, 62 and 73 yards against mostly deep reserves as Baltimore rallied past the Miami Dolphins 27-10.
“This isn't college where I get free tickets,” Jackson said, “so everyone who came here tonight paid for their own tickets. My mom watched from home on TV.”
Jackson entered the game at the start of the second half and had his best performance yet for the Ravens.
He went 7 for 10 for 98 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 39 yards on three carries, including a 19-yard scoring run.
“My decision-making is getting better,” Jackson said. “I'm working my way up. I feel like I'm doing pretty good, but there's still room for improvement.”