NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE NOTES
Rodgers-Cromartie accepts blame
A seemingly happy Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has returned to the New York Giants and is accepting the blame for a blowup with coach Ben McAdoo that led to a one-game suspension.
The cornerback practiced with the team on Wednesday for the first time since being suspended indefinitely a week ago after leaving the team headquarters before practice. The Giants reinstated the 10-year veteran Tuesday after he spoke with McAdoo.
The 31-year-old, who joined the Giants in 2014, insisted he mishandled the events leading to his suspension, both in how he acted during a game against the Chargers on Oct. 8 and two days later when McAdoo told him he would be inactive for this past weekend's game in Denver, which the Giants won despite injuries and the suspension. Rodgers-Cromartie, who had started three of the first five games and led the team in interceptions with six last season, said he never asked to be traded after being suspended. "To be honest, coach called me up and he said some things and I kind of didn't agree with it and I handled it the wrong way," Rodgers-Cromartie said after practice. "At the end of the day, that's on me. So the suspension, I take that. All I can do is try to work back to get in good grace with the guys. I'm just glad that they didn't let this turn them from me and they accepted me and I'm just back working, man." Teammates were happy to see the popular Rodgers-Cromartie back, and they even teased him after the workout. "Tell them about the suspension," defensive tackle Damon 'Snacks' Harrison shouted from the other side of the locker as 'DRC' was surrounded by reporters. Rodgers-Cromartie could not help but laugh.
"Snacks can say what he wants to say," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "When I first walked in, he was the first one to jump up and down and hug me. So them boys definitely welcomed me back with open arms and that definitely, definitely made me feel good."
Jaguars Fournette misses practice
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette sat out practice Wednesday while recovering from a sprained right ankle.
The rookie rolled his ankle late in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Coach Doug Marrone says Fournette was ready to re-enter the game after getting his ankle evaluated on the sideline, but adds that "there's a lot of adrenaline that goes into that." Marrone says "you just have to wait and see how things go the following week."
The Jaguars (3-3) hope to have Fournette available for Sunday's game at Indianapolis (2-4).
Fournette ranks second in the NFL with 596 yards rushing. He tops the league with six touchdowns on the ground.
Redskins put Dustin Hopkins on IR
The Washington Redskins have put kicker Dustin Hopkins on injured reserve with a strained hip muscle and signed free agent Nick Rose to replace him.
Rose's NFL debut will come Monday night in Washington's game at the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles.
He played college football at Texas, finishing his career there in 2015. He made 27 of 38 field goals and 71 of 74 extra points for the Longhorns.