Steelers assistant Drake dies
PITTSBURGH» Darryl Drake, the Steelers wide receivers who spent more than 30 years molding players at the position at the college and professional level, has died. He was 62.
The team said Drake, who joined the coaching staff in 2018, died early Sunday morning.
Drake reached the NFL as a receivers coach in 2004 with the Bears. He moved on to the same position with the Cardinals in 2013 before joining Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s staff in 2018. Drake’s pupils through the years include Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald, longtime NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall and Antonio Brown, who played for Drake in 2018 before being traded to Oakland last spring.
The Steelers brought in Drake last summer to work with a young receiving corps that included JuJu SmithSchuster and James Washington. Niners offensive tackle Shon Coleman will be placed on season-ending injury reserve with a serious injury to his right leg suffered in the exhibition opener.
Coleman had surgery Sunday for a broken fibula and dislocated ankle suffered in the first quarter of Saturday night’s 17-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Kyle Shahanan said Coleman will be placed on injured reserve Monday and the team plans to bring in tackles to work out to fill his spot on the roster.
Vikings bring in new kicker.
E AG A N , MINN.» Looking for solutions for their longtime kicking issues, the Vikings traded for Kaare Vedvik from the Baltimore Ravens.
Vedvik has kicked and punted for Baltimore, which was set at the position with standouts Justin Tucker and Sam Koch. The Ravens announced the trade via Twitter with an undisclosed draft pick as the compensation in the deal for Baltimore.
Struggling Jets kicker retires.
FLORH A MP A RK , N.J.» Jets kicker Chandler Catanzaro retired after a shaky start to training camp.
The Jets signed kicker Taylor Bertolet to replace Catanzaro on the roster.
Catanzaro signed with New York during the offseason for a second stint with the team. He struggled with consistency during camp, and then missed two extra points in the Jets’ 3122 preseason-opening loss to the Giants on Thursday night.