The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bucs first-round pick Howard done for year
Tampa Bay places tight end, 4 others on injured reserve.
Tampa Bay placed rookie tight end O.J. Howard and four other players on injured reserve Wednesday.
Howard, a first-round draft pick out of Alabama, started 14 games and finished with 26 receptions for 435 yards and six touchdowns.
He injured an ankle scoring on a 30-yard reception in Monday’s loss to Atlanta.
The injury-depleted Bucs (4-10) also placed rookie safety Justin Evans (ankle), linebacker Adarius Glanton (broken leg), cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (hamstring) and guard J.R. Sweezy (lower leg) on IR.
Linebacker Nigel Harris, safety Isaiah Johnson and defensive lineman Channing Ward were promoted from the from the practice squad, and offensive lineman Adam Gettis and cornerback David Rivers were signed to the practice squad.
Bears: Linebacker Pernell McPhee, who has had offseason surgery the past two years, went on injured reserve with a shoulder problem that knocked him out of Saturday’s loss at Detroit.
McPhee missed the first six games in 2016 following surgery on his left knee, and he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in July.
The Bears also signed linebacker Jonathan Anderson, and guard Kyle Long had surgery to alleviate neck pain.
Long has ended the past two seasons on injured reserve. Long said he was “nowhere near” 100 percent coming into this season and a shoulder injury led to the neck problem.
Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson was back on the field, but the defensive end’s playing status remained uncertain. As does his future with the franchise. Wilkerson was a full participant at practice after being benched Sunday for being late to a team meeting. Coach Todd Bowles would not commit to Wilkerson playing in the home finale against the Chargers.
Broncos: “Who’s the starting quarterback on Sunday?” coach Vance Joseph said, repeating a question. “We’re not there yet.” Joseph said Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch, coming back from a sprained left ankle, split snaps Wednesday “exactly down the middle, half and half,” but a decision will not come until later in the week.
Cowboys: Running back Ezekiel Elliott didn’t want to talk about his six weeks away now that he’s back from a suspension over domestic violence allegations. Elliott ended his first session with reporters after 70 seconds. Elliott said he wouldn’t address questions about a hiatus spent mostly in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, but was asked anyway. After five questions on that topic, he said, “All right, I’m done.”
Falcons: Receiver Julio Jones will miss some practice with an ankle injury, but coach Dan Quinn said he expects Jones to play Sunday at New Orleans. Jones was injured on the second snap of Monday’s win at Tampa Bay. He played the rest of the game, finishing with three catches for 54 yards.
Titans: Cornerback Logan Ryan missed practice as he heals from an ankle injury, and backup cornerback LeShaun Sims’ injured hamstring needs an MRI. Coach Mike Mularkey said Ryan remains day to day along with defensive lineman Karl Klug with an injured groin.
Dolphins: Tight end Julius Thomas and guard Jermon Bushrod went on injured reserve with foot injuries, while tight end Thomas Duarte was activated from the practice squad, and tackle Eric Smith was activated from injured reserve.
Giants: Dave Gettleman interviewed for the general manager’s job. The team said Gettleman, 66, met with co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, and former GM Ernie Accorsi, who is consulting on the selection process. Gettleman has worked 30 years in the NFL, including 15 with the Giants before becoming Carolina’s general manager from 2013-2016.