Rams’ Donald continues holdout
Former Pitt and Penn Hills High School star Aaron Donald, who held out all summer in hopes of landing a more lucrative contract, was absent from the Los Angeles Rams’ facility Monday and thus did not participate in a practice that coach Sean McVay previously deemed “the first day of true preparation” for their first opponent.
Donald’s absence makes it unlikely he will be available for the regular-season opener against Indianapolis. McVay, however, said Donald is “not ruled out,” and he wouldn’t impose a firm deadline on when Donald would have to arrive to face the Colts.
If Donald doesn’t arrive by Sunday, he will miss out on one of his 17 game checks, which make up his 2017 salary (players are paid during the open week).
The 26-year-old is set to earn a base salary of $1,802,250 this year, with a fifth-year option of $6,892,000 for 2018.
Dolphins
For Miami and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the season might begin sooner than Sunday afternoon, thanks to Hurricane Irma. The NFL is considering moving the Dolphins-Buccaneers opener in Miami to another site or to Thursday or Friday night because of the hurricane, a person familiar with the discussions said Monday. The person confirmed the discussions to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The teams share the same open week in November, but would prefer to avoid playing that weekend because it would mean both teams would play 16 weeks in a row.
Cardinals
Andy Lee and Phil Dawson are together again. The Cardinals signed Lee, a punter from Pitt, to a twoyear contract. In addition to punting, he’ll be the holder for Dawson, just as he was for two years in San Francisco. Lee will be entering his 14th NFL season.
Bills
Buffalo starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor took the next step in recovering from a concussion by returning to practice Monday.
Falcons
Atlanta released defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman two days after he was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list because of domestic violence charges in 2016. The Falcons said in a statement the move was made after a “thorough investigative process by local authorities.” The NFL said Saturday its investigation is pending after it ruled that Hageman could play in any games or practice for now.