Five on-field officials to sit out this season
The NFL’s longest-serving on-field official was among five who have opted to take a leave of absence for the 2020 season.
Line judge Jeff Bergman, who grew up on the North Side and is entering his 29th year of service, headlined the list released Friday by the NFL.
Also in the group was back judge Steve Freeman, who was entering his 20th year. He is part of the league’s only father-son duo in the officials ranks. Freeman is a former NFL player who spent 12 of his 13 seasons with the Bills. His son, Brad, is a back judge is entering his seventh season.
Also opting out are field judges Greg Gautreaux and Joe Larrew and back judge Tony Steratore, of Washington, Pa.
The league said additional officials will be hired and announced.
Officials are allowed to opt out under the protocols negotiated by the NFL and NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Browns
Starting center JC Tretter had a surgical procedure on his knee Thursday and could be out for an extended period. Firstyear coach Kevin Stefanski revealed Tretter’s unexpected surgery Friday.
Stefanski did not provide any details on Tretter, who is also the NFLPA president and has been heavily involved in talks over the past few months between the union and NFL to get training camps ready during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stefanski would not say how long Tretter could be out, but it’s likely that he could miss at least a couple of weeks. Until he’s back, rookie Nick Harris will take his spot on Cleveland’s revamped line.
Also, star defensive end Myles Garrett is out after “tweaking” a hamstring, Stefanski said. There is no timetable for Garrett’s return. He recently signed a fiveyear, $125 million contract extension.
Broncos
Rookie receiver Jerry Jeudy went right to work dropping jaws Friday when Denver gathered for its first full practice of 2020 under smoky skies from wildfires burning in the Rocky Mountains. General manager John Elway, who spent his offseason buttressing Denver’s offense, sat on the sideline smiling every time his top draft pick plucked another pass out of the haze, especially one he cradled in the back of the end zone.
“I think he did some great things today, he ran some hella routes,” safety and fellow Alabama alum Kareem Jackson said. “He’s that type of player. I’ve had a chance to watch him since he was a freshman, obviously with him going to my alma mater, that’s one of the teams I watch every Saturday. So ... now having him as a teammate it’s exciting.”