N. Orleans Super Bowl pushed from 2024 to 2025
NEW ORLEANS » The next Super Bowl in New Orleans has been pushed back from 2024 to 2025 in order to avoid a conflict with the city’s traditional Mardi Gras celebrations, the NFL announced Wednesday.
The NFL said the change was approved by all 32 clubs during a virtual league meeting.
New Orleans was initially named the 2024 host city in 2018, but the NFL’s decision to lengthen the regular season schedule from 16 to 17 games in 2023 created a conflict in 2024 with Mardi Gras, which annually draws millions to the city for parades and balls during a several- week Carnival season that ends on “Fat Tuesday.”
NFL cancels Pro Bowl in Las Vegas due to COVID- 19 pandemic.
NEW YORK » The NFL has canceled next January’s Pro Bowl scheduled for Las Vegas.
During an owners meeting held virtually on Wednesday, the league opted to call off the all- star game, hoping to replace it with a variety of virtual activities. The NFL needs flexibility in January in case it needs to move regular- season games to that month because of the coronavirus pandemic.
If there is a Pro Bowl in 2022, the 32 owners voted to return it to the new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Cardinals All- Pro LB Jones out for season with biceps injury.
TEMPE, ARIZ. » All- Pro linebacker Chandler Jones is out for the season because of a biceps injury that requires surgery. An MRI earlier this week confirmed the extent of the injury, which happened during the first half of Arizona’s 30- 10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, and coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that Jones has elected to have the season- ending surgery. The recovery time is expected to be three to four months.
Haskins misses Washington practice, Allen to start against Giants.
ASHBURN, VA. » Former starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins remains away from the Washington Football Team because of an illness that’s not considered COVID- 19 related, and Kyle Allen is expected to start Sunday against the New York Giants. Coach Ron Rivera said a gastrointestinal ailment of sorts was bothering the second- year QB.
Mayfield confident he’ll play Steelers despite sore ribs.
BEREA, OHIO » Baker Mayfield was limited in practice with an injury sustained in Sunday’s win over Indianapolis. But the Browns quarterback is convinced he’ll play this week when Cleveland plays at unbeaten Pittsburgh.
Mayfield was in uniform Wednesday, but after stretching with his teammates, he only watched during the 10- minute period at the start of practice open to reporters. As Mayfield stood by, backup Case Keenum made all the throws to Cleveland’s wide receivers.
Panthers lose Short to shoulder injury; McCaffrey still out.
CHARLOTTE, N. C. » The Panthers have lost two- time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short to a shoulder injury for the second straight season, and 2019 All- Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is not quite ready to return to action either.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Short will need season- ending surgery on his right shoulder, but wouldn’t get into the specifics of the injury.
Rhule also said that McCaffrey is expected to remain on injured reserve for now while recovering from his high ankle sprain. McCaffrey has missed the last three games and Rhule said “he’s still working to get back and as soon as we can get him back, we will get him back.”