The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bucs’ Martin gets PED ban
Ex-Pro Bowl RB suspended 4 games, opts to enter rehab.
Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances and said Wednesday he’s entering a treatment facility rather than appeal the ban.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection, slowed by a hamstring injury this season after rushing for 1,402 yards in 2015, will miss Sunday’s regular-season finale against Carolina.
He also sat out last week’s 31-24 loss at New Orleans after being declared inactive against the Saints, though that game won’t count against the penalty.
Martin, a fifth-year pro, said he decided to enter a treatment facility “and receive the help I truly need” after discussing the matter with people close to him, including coach Dirk Koetter.
The NFL said Martin was suspended for the team’s “next four regular-season and/or postseason games,” beginning immediately.
The Bucs are mathematically alive but highly unlikely to make the playoffs.
Broncos: DeMarcus Ware needs season-ending back surgery that could spell the end of his NFL career. Ware was placed on injured reserve along with cornerback Kayvon Webster, who sustained a concussion last weekend at Kansas City.
Ware took a big pay cut to return to the Broncos after winning his first Super Bowl ring. The 12-year veteran had four sacks in 10 games, giving him 138½ for his career, sixth best all-time.
With the defending champs eliminated from playoff contention, coach Gary Kubiak said he will play both Trevor Siemian and rookie Paxton Lynch at quarterback in Sunday’s season finale against the Raiders.
Browns: Quarterback Robert Griffin III remains in concussion protocol and could miss Sunday’s season finale in Pittsburgh. Griffin was not on the practice field as the Browns prepared to face the Steelers.
He was injured in the fourth quarter in last week’s win over San Diego and replaced by rookie Cody Kessler, who finished off Cleveland’s first victory in 2016. Kessler, who made eight starts but sustained two concussions this season, will start if Griffin can’t play.
Ravens: Steve Smith sounds like a man who’s ready to close the door on an NFL career that has spanned 16 seasons and taken him beyond his 37th birthday.
“Whether you want to or not, you’ve got to move on,” Smith said. “It’s part of life. The world still turns.”
The five-time Pro Bowl receiver will play in his 230th game when the Ravens finish the season at Cincinnati.
Bills: Aside from having an interim coach in Anthony Lynn, Buffalo also has an interim starting quarterback: EJ Manuel.
Without going into detail, Lynn called it “a business decision” to start Manuel in place of Tyrod Taylor in Buffalo’s season finale against the Jets on Sunday. Both teams are eliminated from playoff contention.
Lynn, the team’s offensive coordinator, said he “wasn’t in the room,” when the decision was made. He then added he can’t speak for general manager Doug Whaley or owner Terry Pegula.
Lions: Top cornerback Darius Slay practiced on a limited basis after missing Monday night’s game at Dallas with a hamstring injury.
Center Travis Swanson (concussion), who hasn’t played since Dec. 4, also was listed as limited.
Bengals: Receiver A.J. Green won’t play in the season finale against the Ravens. Green severely strained his right hamstring on the first pass thrown his way during a loss to Buffalo on Nov. 20.
He returned to practice a few weeks ago and expected to play Saturday night in Houston, but was held out after a scan of the leg found the injury hadn’t fully healed.
Panthers: Coach Ron Rivera said he will not play three-time All-Pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly in the team’s season finale at Tampa Bay. Kuechly was cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol three weeks ago, but Rivera has elected not to play him as a precautionary measure.
Jets: Center Nick Mangold says he has no plans to retire despite an injury-filled 11th NFL season that ended three weeks ago when he was placed on injured reserve. Mangold said he’ll know in two or three weeks whether his injured right ankle will require surgery.
Dolphins: Safety Isa Abdul-Quddus will miss the rest of the season for playoff-bound Miami after hurting his neck Saturday at Buffalo.
Hall of Fame game: Will be played on Thursday, Aug. 3, two days before the 2017 inductions into the pro football shrine in Canton, Ohio.
Obit: Bruce DeHaven, a longtime special teams coach who helped the Bills go to four consecutive Super Bowls, died at 68 following a battle with prostate cancer.