FIRING SEASON: JAGS GM CANNED
The Jacksonville Jaguars fired General Manager Dave Caldwell on Sunday after the team’s 10th consecutive loss, sending a clear message that the small-market franchise is headed in a new direction.
It was a move many thought owner Shad Khan should have made at the end of last season. But Khan gave Caldwell another chance to make Jacksonville a playoff contender for just the second time in his eight-year tenure.
Caldwell came up well short of the owner’s winning expectations, making Khan’s decision an easy and somewhat expected one.
Khan will keep coach Doug Marrone and his staff in place to finish out the season and likely let the next general manager decide their fate. It would be stunning to see Marrone return in 2021. Former San Francisco executive Trent Baalke will serve as interim GM.
“I’ve met with Dave Caldwell to express my appreciation for his service to the Jacksonville Jaguars as our general manager,” Khan said in a statement that followed the team’s 27-25 loss to Cleveland. “Dave was exceptionally committed and determined to bring a winner to Jacksonville, but unfortunately his efforts were not rewarded with the results our fans deserve and our organization expects.
“Our football operation needs new leadership, and we will have it with a new general manager in 2021.” Caldwell is the fourth general manager fired during this pandemic-impacted season. Houston fired Bill O’Brien, who also was its coach. Atlanta fired coach Dan Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff. On Saturday, Detroit released coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn.
Giants QB Jones hurt
It was a nice Sunday for Joe Judge and the New York Giants — except for Daniel Jones’ hamstring injury.
New York moved into a tie for first in the NFC East with a 19-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, but the Giants lost their starting quarterback when Jones got hurt in the second half.
Jones passed for 213 yards in New York’s third straight win. He’s scheduled to have an MRI today.
“I won’t say I’m optimistic at this point right now,” said Judge, who is in his first year as Giants coach. “No, I don’t want to go ahead and say yea or nay because I don’t have the medical information. You know, I’m sure he’s going to try everything he can.”
The Panthers lost wide receiver D.J. Moore in the fourth quarter of their loss at Minnesota. Moore hurt his right ankle after landing awkwardly in the end zone on an incompletion.
Indianapolis left tackle Anthony Castonzo hurt his knee in the second quarter of the Colts’ loss to Tennessee, and safety Khari Willis left with back and quad injuries in the second half.
• Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette was evaluated for a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit with one of his teammates on the first play of the team’s loss at Atlanta.
Atlanta’s Olamide Zaccheaus went out in the first half with a toe injury, another blow to a receiving corps that already was missing Julio Jones with a hamstring injury. Offensive lineman James Carpenter was carted off the field in the fourth with a groin injury.
More COVID updates
The Ravens’ coronavirus outbreak worsened, with Ravens tight end Mark Andrews and outside linebacker Matthew Judon testing positive, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
Both Pro Bowl players will miss Tuesday’s game against the Steelers, already postponed twice because of the Ravens’ mounting caseload.
The NFL fined the Saints $500,000 and stripped them of a 2021 seventhround draft pick for violating league COVID-19 protocols, according to sources. The Patriots were fined $350,000 for similar violations.