Buffalo’s Wood is retiring
Eric Wood’s first NFL career playoff appearance will have to be his last.
The Buffalo Bills center and respected leader revealed Friday that a neck injury has left him with no choice but to retire after nine seasons.
In a statement released by the Bills on the team’s Twitter account, Wood said the injury was discovered during his season-ending physical.
Wood added he has since been informed by doctors that the injury is so severe he would no longer be cleared to play — even with surgery or further treatment. Patriots injuries: New England quarterback Tom Brady (hand) returned to full practice nine days before the Super Bowl, but tight end Rob Gronkowski is still recovering from a concussion.
In the injury report issued Friday, the team said neither Gronkowski nor defensive lineman Deatrich Wise would play if the game were this Sunday. With the extra week off before the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles, however, there is time for them to more fully recover. Familiar name joins Raiders: Jon Gruden is reportedly adding another offensive assistant, one quite close to the man who led Gruden’s offense in his first stint as Raiders head coach.
According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, the Raiders are hiring Brian Callahan as quarterbacks coach. Callahan’s dad, Bill, was Gruden’s offensive coordinator in Oakland from 1998-2001 and replaced Gruden as head coach after he was traded to Tampa Bay. 49ers re-sign Nzeocha: The 49ers re-signed linebacker Mark Nzeocha to a one-year deal. Nzeocha appeared in 10 games last season and registered four tackles on special teams. Cardinals hire coordinators: Former San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy has been hired as offensive coordinator at Arizona and Al Holcomb is following new Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks from Carolina to be defensive coordinator.
The Cardinals also hired Jeff Rodgers as special teams coordinator.
McCoy was offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos for five seasons (2009-12 and again in 2017). He was head coach of the Chargers from 2013 to 2016. Holcomb was linebackers coach of the Panthers for the past five seasons.