GROPING CLAIM VS. QB WINSTON
The NFL is investigating an allegation that Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston groped a female Uber driver in March 2016.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington the “allegation was shared with the NFL and we have reached out to Uber to request any information they may have.”
The league’s investigation was first reported Friday by BuzzFeed News, which viewed a letter it said was sent from NFL executive Lisa Friel to the Uber driver.
Winston denied the allegations, saying in a statement Friday the “accusation is false.”
Wilson’s jaw realigned.
WASH.» Seahawks RENTON, quarterback Russell Wilson said he needed to have his jaw realigned as a result of a hit he took in the team’s win over the Cardinals last week.
“It was close,” he said Friday. “The doctor was like, ‘Man, any harder, we probably (would have) had to wire your mouth shut.’ ”
The hit occurred on a third-quarter sack by linebacker Karlos Dansby, who was fined $18,231 by the NFL.
Call it extortion.
» Seahawks RENTON, WASH. defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said he plans to appeal an $18,231 fine for a hit on Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton.
“It’s extortion,” Richardson said.
The hit in question occurred in the first quarter of Seattle’s 22-16 win on Nov. 9. Richardson said he was pushed in the back by a Cardinals offensive lineman and that he tried to let up before hitting Stanton’s legs, which drew a penalty for roughing the passer.
Rivers cleared to play. CALIF.» COSTA MESA,
Quarterback Philip Rivers was cleared from concussion protocol by an independent neurological consultant and is set to play Sunday against the Bills.
Rivers was a full participant for the second straight practice. He’s officially questionable on the injury report.
Pryor has injured foot.
VA.» Redskins ASHBURN, receiver Terrelle Pryor will not play against the Saints on Sunday and is concerned about his status for the rest of the season after having an MRI on his injured foot.
Pryor will visit Dr. Robert Anderson, a noted foot specialist, on Monday in Charlotte, N.C.
Vick erases massive debt.
Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick made the final $1.5 million payment to creditors, meaning he paid back $17.4 million of the $17.6 million he owed when he filed for bankruptcy in July 2008.
The payment and final payouts were confirmed by Joseph Luzinski, a senior vice president at Development Specialists Inc., a management consultancy firm and the liquidating trustee in Vick’s bankruptcy.
“Paying 99 cents on the dollar, which he did, is remarkable,” Luzinski said. “It happens in, maybe, one out of 100 cases.”
Footnotes.
Chiefs pass rushers Tamba Hali and Dee Ford were ruled out Sunday against the Giants, while defensive lineman Allen Bailey was also ruled out. … The Falcons’ Julio Jones is on the injury report but is likely to play Sunday. … The Lions ruled out defensive end Ezekiel Ansah against the Bears because of a back injury.