Pittsburgh WR dedicates season to deceased coach
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is dedicating his rookie season to Darryl Drake.
Drake died a week ago and Johnson honored the Steelers’ former wide receivers coach with his first NFL touchdown reception in Pittsburgh’s second preseason game, a home victory Saturday against Kansas City.
“That touchdown was for Coach Drake,” Johnson said. “Every touchdown I score this year is going to be for him.”
Drake lobbied for the Steelers to draft Johnson in the third round this past spring. The Steelers had a need at receiver following the high-profile departure of Antonio Brown, who left the team before a key Week 17 home game and spent the offseason lash- ing out until the organization traded the four-time All-Pro to Oakland.
Drake felt the 5-foot10, 183-pound former To- ledo star could help fill the void. Drake highlighted Johnson’s route-running and also called the rookie one of the most natural pass catchers he’s seen, high praise from a coach who also mentored Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald and longtime NFL receiver Brandon Marshall among others.
“We got close,” Johnson said. “Once I met him at my pro day, we clicked and I just felt like that was my guy. He still is my guy to this day.”
WR NOT SOLD ON JAY-Z-KAP PARTNERSHIP >> Dolphins wideout Kenny Stills is objecting to recent comments from rapper Jay-Z about social activism by current and former NFL players, including Colin Kaepernick.
Jay-Z and the league last week announced a partnership he characterized as a progressive step to carry on the campaign that Kaepernick began by kneeling during the national anthem to bring attention to police brutality and racial division.
Stills isn’t so sure the Jay-Z partnership represents progress, and says he didn’t respect the rapper’s comments about the deal. And Stills says Jay-Z could have reached out to him or to Kaepernick before announcing the partnership.
RODGERS COULD FACE RAIDERS IN CANADA >> Aaron Rodgers is participating in practice and is expected to play in the Packers’ third preseason game against the Raiders in Canada.
Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst said the plan is for the twotime MVP to make his preseason debut Thursday night in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Rodgers sat out the Packers’ second preseason game in Baltimore and was sidelined during practice Sunday with back tightness.
Rodgers, along with 25 other teammates, did not dress for the first preseason game against Houston.
Thursday will mark the third time the Packers have played a preseason game outside the United States. RB HENRY RETURNS TO TITANS >> Derrick Henry is back at practice for the first time since hurting his left calf on the opening day of Tennessee’s training camp.
Henry took part in individual drills as the Titans worked in their indoor practice field with the temperature feeling higher than 100 degrees. Henry then went inside the team’s headquarters and did not speak to reporters after practice.
Coach Mike Vrabel says it’s always good to get players back at practice from injuries and that the Titans hope Henry can do more Tuesday.
RAMS, USC LEGEND DIES >> Jim Hardy, the oldest living USC and Los Angeles Rams football player who was the MVP of the 1945 Rose Bowl, has died. He was 96.
The university said he died Aug. 16 of natural causes at his home in the desert city of La Quinta, 130 miles east of Los Angeles.
GORDON BACK WITH PATS >> Oft-suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon returned to the New England Patriots’ practice field without pads and without saying when he might be able to play again.
Gordon was seen stretching on the field during the portion of the team’s workout that was open to the media. In the locker room before practice, he declined a request for an interview.
The Patriots placed Gordon on the non-football injury list on Sunday, two days after the NFL reinstated him from an indefinite suspension that cost him the final three games of the 2018 regular season and the team’s Super Bowl run.
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR CAM’S BACKUP >> Cam Newton remains the clearcut starting quarterback in Carolina, his primary backup remains largely uncertain.
Kyle Allen started the first two preseason games and appears to have the edge over third-round draft pick Will Grier, but the reality is neither QB has taken full advantage of his opportunities — and extra playing time — with Newton resting his shoulder.
Taylor Heinicke was the No. 2 guy last season, but he’s dropped to fourth on the depth chart and hasn’t been getting as many reps as Allen and Grier in practice.
“That’s what they are here for is to compete and find out who the next best guy is,” Rivera said. MIAMI QBS JUST SO-SO >> Choosing the Dolphins’ quarterback has become a close call, mostly because both candidates have been only so-so.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to start the third game of the preseason Thursday against Jacksonville, with Josh Rosen coming off the bench. But that doesn’t mean Fitzpatrick has clinched the No. 1 job, coach Brian Flores said.