Washington QB Haskins apologizes for COVID breach
Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins publicly apologized Tuesday after photo evidence came to light of him partying with several people unmasked after playing Sunday.
Haskins said on Twitter he spoke with coach Ron Rivera and took full responsibility for putting the team at risk during the pandemic.
“It was irresponsible and immature of me and I accept responsibility for my action,” Haskins said. “I also want to apologize for creating a distraction for my team during our playoff push. I will learn and grow from this and do what’s best for the team moving forward.”
The team is aware of the situation and said it’s handling it internally. There was no immediate word whether Haskins would be fined or suspended for violating COVID-19 protocols. The team fined him earlier this season for a separate violation while on the road.
Haskins started Sunday for the first time since early October and threw two interceptions and a touchdown in a 20-15 loss to Seattle. It’s unclear if he’ll play in Washington’s next game against the Carolina Panthers that could be the NFC East clincher, though Rivera called Alex Smith the starter if healthy.
Rivera benched the 2019 firstround pick after four games this season because he felt the offense was better off in experienced hands. He turned first to Kyle Allen, then to Smith when Allen was injured.
Haskins got the start against Seattle essentially by default as the last healthy quarterback on the roster. He threw two interceptions in the first two-plus quarters before leading a comeback attempt that fell short.
Texans fine Watson for violating protocol
The Texans fined quarterback Deshaun Watson and several other players for violating the league’s COVID-19 protocols, league sources not authorized to speak publicly told Hearst Newspapers.
Watson opened his new restaurant, Lefty’s Cheesesteak, on Kirby Drive a half-mile from NRG Stadium last week. There were more than three players in attendance at the grand opening of Watson’s
franchise. Three players is the limit for gatherings outside of team facilities under NFL rules collectively bargained by the league and the NFL Players Association.
The fines, which were first reported by ESPN, were for $5,000 apiece with Watson, an equity owner in the franchise, fined $7,500, according to sources.
Watson offered to pay the fines for teammates, but they declined, according to sources. A league spokesman deferred to the Texans for comment.
Players who attended the event included offensive tackles Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard and Roderick Johnson, wide receiver Brandin Cooks, defensive end Charles Omenihu and running back Duke Johnson.
49ers QB Mullens out; Beathard to get start
Nick Mullens will miss the rest of the season with a serious elbow injury, moving third-stringer C.J. Beathard into a starting role for the final two games and sending the San Francisco 49ers on desperate search for a backup.
Mullens got hurt late in Sunday’s loss at Dallas, and coach Kyle Shanahan said he will likely need reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow.
Starter Jimmy Garoppolo has been cleared to return to practice from an ankle injury that has sidelined him the past six games, but won’t be ready to play Saturday night against Arizona. Backup Josh Johnson was placed on the COVID-19 list Tuesday, leaving Beathard as the only available quarterback.
Shanahan said he doesn’t expect Garoppolo to be cleared to play this week.
With players not currently on an NFL roster and in the coronavirus testing protocol needing six days of clean tests to be eligible to play, the only option for a backup was to sign someone off another team’s practice squad.
The Niners are planning to sign 2018 No. 10 overall pick Josh Rosen off Tampa Bay’s practice squad. Rosen terminated his contract with Tampa Bay on Tuesday and is set to join the 49ers on Wednesday. ESPN first reported the deal.
Rosen is joining his fourth organization since being picked by Arizona. He has won three of 13 starts with the Cardinals and Miami with a 63.5 passer rating.
Odds and ends
Browns offensive lineman Chris Hubbard was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after sustaining a serious knee injury in Sunday’s win over the Giants. … Jets defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi was activated from the COVID-19 list.