New Fitzgerald deal has asterisk
WR will return to Arizona next year — if he chooses to play a 15th season
Larry Fitzgerald has signed a contract to return to the Arizona Cardinals for a 15th season, if he decides to play at all.
The one-year extension announced Friday with arguably the most popular player in Cardinals franchise history does not mean Fitzgerald will play football next season — only that if he does, it will be with the only team he has known since he entered the league.
“Everybody’s happy for him and hopes he comes back and catches 100 more,” coach Bruce Arians said after Friday’s practice.
Fitzgerald, among the NFL career leaders in virtually all receiving statistics, has not said whether he intends to play after this season.
Fitzgerald, who was not in the locker room when reporters where there Friday, remains one of the most prolific receivers in the NFL at age 34. He leads the NFC, and is second in the NFL, in receptions with 60. Fitzgerald led the NFL with 107 last season.
He has been selected for 10 Pro Bowls. He and Jerry Rice are the only wide receivers to be chosen at least 10 times. Rice had 13 selections.
Winston under investigation
The NFL is investigating an allegation that Jameis Winston groped a female Uber driver in 2016.
The Buccaneers acknowledged the allegation on Friday and released a statement saying they are in the “process of obtaining further information regarding today’s media report. We take these matters seriously and are fully supportive of the investigation that is being conducted by the NFL.”
The Uber driver told BuzzFeed News the incident stems from a 2 a.m. ride after a party in Scottsdale, Ariz., on March 13, 2016. The driver said Winston was the only passenger, and that he sat in the front seat and was yelling homophobic slurs at pedestrians. She said he then asked the driver to stop for food, and while waiting in a drive-thru, reached over and placed his hand on the woman’s crotch.
A representative for Winston, Russ Spielman, issued a statement denying the allegations. He said the only reason Winston’s name is attached to the allegation is because his Uber account was used to call the ride.
Winston reiterated his denial on social media.
Winston has been at the center of a previous sexual assault allegation.
He and Erica Kinsman, who said Winston raped her while both attended Florida State, settled a civil lawsuit in December 2016 that she had brought against him. Winston said Kinsman’s allegations stemming from a 2012 encounter were false and that he and Kinsman had consensual sex, and countersued.
Charges were never brought against Winston as prosecutors said there wasn’t enough evidence in the case to win a conviction, and there were gaps in Kinsman’s story.
Fournette may be out
The Jacksonville Jaguars could be without running back Leonard Fournette at winless Cleveland on Sunday.
Fournette has been hampered by an ankle injury and did not practice Friday after being limited the previous two days. He was listed as questionable.
Gabbert gets start
Blaine Gabbert will get his first start for the Cardinals when they play the Texans in Houston on Sunday, coach Bruce Arians announced.
Drew Stanton, the starter the last two games, bruised his knee early in the Thursday night loss to Seattle last week.