Baltimore down to one QB days before Cowboys game
Quarterback Robert Griffin III was placed on injured reserve by the Baltimore Ravens on Friday, leaving third-stringer Trace McSorley as the team’s only active quarterback.
Reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson is on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive last week, but the Ravens hope he’ll be back in time to play against Dallas on Tuesday night.
Griffin started Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Steelers and hurt his hamstring in the second quarter. He remained in the game until the injury became too much to bear and was replaced by McSorley in the fourth quarter of a 1914 loss.
Griffin must miss at least three games.
Meanwhile, the Ravens activated running back J.K. Dobbins, linebacker Pernell McPhee and centers Matt Skura and Patrick Mekari from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Garrett says virus ‘kicked my butt’
Myles Garrett pushes around 300-pound offensive linemen for a living, but a microscopic virus flattened him, he said Friday.
“Kicked my butt,” the former Texas A&M standout said in his first comments since testing positive for COVID-19 last month and missing Cleveland’s past two games. “Now I’m back.”
Garrett said he experienced moderate symptoms while sick and that he worried about long-term health issues.
“I lost my smell for almost two weeks, had the body aches, headaches, my eyes were hurting, coughing, sneezing, fever,” he
said. “I was in pain.”
Garrett was activated from the COVID list Tuesday and practiced the past two days. He’ll play Sunday when the Browns (8-3) continue their playoff push against the Tennessee Titans (8-3).
Access to facilities tightened further
The NFL is further limiting player access to team facilities as it tries to enhance safety measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
All 32 teams were told in a memo to close their facilities for two days after games, with some exceptions.
Beginning Monday, that all teams playing on a Sunday must close those facilities the next two days — except for clubs playing on the subsequent Thursday. Only players needing medical attention for injuries or in rehab programs may enter the team complex.
Coaches can access the facility but must work in their own offices and can’t conduct meetings except virtually.
Teams playing on Monday nights can next have players in their facilities on Thursday, and teams with Thursday night games must close the complex to players until Sunday.
“There are no exceptions to this prohibition,” the league wrote. “Approvals previously received for in-person meetings will not apply on these two days.”
Jones practices but still doubtful
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones practiced on a limited basis Friday and is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury for Sunday’s game at Seattle.
Jones, who was injured last weekend against Cincinnati, didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday.
If Jones can’t play, former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy will start for the Giants, who are riding a three-game winning streak that has them atop the NFC East at 4-7. The Seahawks (8-3) lead the NFC West.
Injury report
Out: Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (ankle) and Miami Dolphins RB Matt Breida (COVID-19).
Doubtful: Dolphins RBs Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) and DeAndre Washington (hamstring).
Questionable: Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) and RB Todd Gurley (knee); Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (thumb).
Could be activated from IR: Dolphins RB Mayles Gaskin (knee).
Expected to play: Falcons K Youngwae Koo (right quad) and Tennessee Titans WR Adam Humphries.