Raiders cornerback Smith could stand trial
A superior court judge ruled there is sufficient evidence for Raiders cornerback Sean Smith to stand trial for allegedly assaulting the ex-boyfriend of his sister, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
Smith was present at the preliminary hearing at the Pasadena Courthouse, but did not testify. He left the courthouse without speaking to reporters and is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 3.
Felony charges against Smith include assault by means of force to produce great bodily injury and battery with serious bodily injury. If convicted, Smith could face a maximum of seven years in prison.
The Raiders, who play Monday night at Philadelphia, were off with no media availability, and a team spokesman could not be reached for comment.
• QB Derek Carr has been selected as the Raiders’ 2017 Ed Block Courage Award recipient. The award is presented to the player who exemplifies a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage, and the recipient is selected by a vote of his teammates.
• The Raiders promoted center James Stone to the 53-man roster, an indication starter Rodney Hudson may still be recovering from a kidney stone. The issue caused Hudson to be questionable for last Sunday’s game, though he played all 70 offensive snaps. Hudson was named to his second straight Pro Bowl on Tuesday. The Raiders could also have guard/center Jon Feliciano snap Monday night if Hudson can’t go. In a corresponding move to Stone’s promotion, the Raiders waived rookie linebacker Xavier Woodson-Luster.
Elliott quietly returns
Ezekiel Elliott apparently doesn’t want to talk about his six weeks away from the Cowboys now that he’s back
from a suspension over domestic violence allegations.
The star running back abruptly ended his first session with reporters after 70 seconds. Elliott said he wouldn’t address questions about a hiatus spent mostly in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, but was asked anyway. After five questions on that topic, Elliott said, “All right, I’m done.”
The Cowboys went 3-3 without last year’s NFL rushing leader to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Newton defends owner
QB Cam Newton believes embattled Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson should be considered innocent until proven guilty.
Richardson is under investigation by the NFL for sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace and announced Sunday that he’s selling the team just hours after a Sports Illustrated report detailed his alleged misconduct.
The QB said Wednesday while he disagrees with any type of sexual misconduct, he has immense respect for Richardson based on their seven-year relationship.
“Everything that I heard were allegations and nothing was actually proven,” Newton said. “It’s another person’s words against another
person’s words. Needless to say, I still think extremely highly of Mr. Richardson. I don’t know none of the sources names that have come out, so I am reaching to find it. But I take sexual assault extremely seriously and I don’t want to offend anyone, but having a lot of allegations thrown at a person, I don’t think that is really fair.”
Newton said the team is handling the distractions well as it prepares for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. The Panthers (10-4) can wrap up a playoff spot with a victory.
Short yardage
• Rookie tight end O.J. Howard (ankle) was placed on IR will miss the Buccaneers’ final two games.
• The Rams placed kicker Greg Zuerlein (back), who leads the NFL in scoring with 158 points, on IR. The Rams signed Sam Ficken after working out 10 kickers.
• The Bears placed linebacker Pernell McPhee (shoulder) on IR.
• Dolphins tight end Julius Thomas (foot) and guard Jermon Bushrod (foot) were placed on IR.
• Bears guard Kyle Long, a three-time Pro Bowler, had surgery to alleviate neck pain.