CB Howard practices, will likely play Sunday Rivera: Apology had to be made
DAVIE — Xavien Howard practiced for the second straight day without limitations, which hints that the Miami Dolphins should have the starting cornerback on the field for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
Howard, who injured a shoulder in last Sunday’s 20-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints, was held out of Wednesday session, but appears to be making progress.
“I have been practicing everyday and have no complaints,” Howard said on Friday. “I’m good.”
Howard’s presence is important because the Dolphins have been struggling in the secondary, which is allowing opponents to complete 75.7 percent of passes. Miami’s three previous opponents are averaging 8.2 yards per attempt, which ranks fifth in the NFL.
Only the Cleveland Browns (115.2) are allowing a higher passer rating than the Dolphins (112.4) so far this season.
Howard, a 2016 secondround pick who has contributed 16 tackles and one pass deflection this season, is viewed as the team’s best cornerback.
The Dolphins recently benched veteran starter Byron Maxwell and replaced him with rookie cornerback Cordrea Tankersley, a former Clemson standout the team selected in the third round.
Tankersley will start his second game against the Titans, and Bobby McCain remains the team’s starting nickel cornerback.
At this point it is unclear who would replace Howard if he suffers a setback before Sunday’s game, or during it.
Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke revealed that Maxwell, who is nursing a hamstring injury, is working with Miami’s scout team, which hints that Alterraun Verner, an eight-year veteran, is above him on the depth chart.
“It happened last year. It happened a couple of times, and he’s earned his way back in to where we thought we were ready to play him some more,” Burke said of Maxwell’s brief benching last season, which lasted one game because of a knee injury. “If ‘Max’ continues on that track, then he’ll have an opportunity to get some more time.”
Safety Michael Thomas has experience playing the nickel spot, which could free McCain up to play on the boundary.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera says Cam Newton’s apology for a sexist remark to a female reporter was “something that was needed to be said.”
“I think it was well said and well put,” Rivera said Friday. “It’s a tough set of circumstances and hopefully this can settle things so we can go forward.”
Newton made his remarks during a news conference Wednesday when Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked the 2015 NFL MVP about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running. The quarterback laughed and said, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.”
Newton issued a nearly two-minute apology on Twitter on Thursday night, saying, “What I did was extremely unacceptable” and that he has “really learned a valuable lesson from this.”
He hasn’t directly apologized to Rodrigue.
The NFL had issued a statement Wednesday night calling Newton’s comments at the news conference “just plain wrong and disrespectful to the exceptional female reporters and all journalist who cover the league.”
Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford’s left knee has so far responded well to two weeks of rest.
He says he’s “definitely feeling better” after missing the last three games. Progress in practice this week has raised the possibility of a return for Monday’s game in Chicago. Bradford says he’ll likely have to play with some discomfort but is optimistic. Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s matchup against the Dolphins. Mariota was listed Friday as questionable at Miami after being limited in practice for the third consecutive day with a left hamstring injury suffered last week in a loss at Houston.
The quarterback says he has spent the majority of practice rehabbing his hamstring. Brandon Weeden, signed Tuesday as insurance, would be the backup if Mariota does not play.
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown says his temper tantrum during a victory over the Ravens wasn’t meant as a show of disrespect toward quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Brown took down a water cooler on the sideline in anger after Roethlisberger failed to find Brown running wide open early in the game. Brown says he apologized to Roethlisberger and needs to do a better job of controlling his emotions going forward. “It can take away the morale of the group,” Brown said Friday. “It can take away the morale of myself.” ... The Packers say running back Ty Montgomery is doubtful to play against the Cowboys on Sunday because of his broken ribs. Montgomery got hurt in last week’s win over the Bears . ... A statue of former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning will be unveiled outside Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in Indianapolis. The next day he will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor and become the first player of the franchise’s Indianapolis era to have his jersey retired.