Ex-Raiders coach Gruden dropped from Madden game
Jon Gruden is being dropped from the Madden NFL 22 video game after he resigned as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders because it was reported that he used racist, homophobic and misogynistic language in emails.
EA Sports tweeted that it was “taking steps to remove” Gruden from the latest version of its popular pro football game and would “replace him with a general likeness via a title update in the coming weeks.”
The game maker said it is “committed to taking action in maintaining a culture of inclusion and equity.”
The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported that, from 2011-18 while he was an ESPN analyst between coaching jobs, Gruden used offensive terms in messages he wrote to former Washington club executive Bruce Allen.
Gruden stepped down Monday night during the fourth season of a 10-year, $10 million deal with the Raiders. He was 22-31 with no playoff appearances in his second stint with the team.
GIANTS’ JONES HOPING TO CLEAR PROTOCOL >> Daniel Jones has made some progress since suffering a concussion last weekend and there’s a chance the Giants quarterback will play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Coach Joe Judge said Wednesday that Jones remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. It is unlikely he’ll practice today since the next step in the protocol would be either increased physical activity followed by a non-contact practice.
That would mean Jones, who threw a little away from the team early in the workout, would have missed most of the preparation for the Rams (4-1).
If that’s the case, the likelihood is backup Mike Glennon will start for New York (1-4) in the game at MetLife Stadium.
Running back Saquon Barkley (ankle), wide receiver Kenny Golladay (knee) and left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) also did not practice Wednesday. Barkley and Golladay were hurt against the Cowboys.
The Giants did get a little good news on the injury front. Wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, who missed the last two games with hamstring injuries, practiced on a limited basis.
Jones, who was selected the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 402 yards against the Saints, did not speak to the media. He smiled while walking off the field after practice.
BROWNS, CARDINALS HURTING >> Keeping slippery Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray under control is a difficult challenge for any defense — even in the best of circumstances.
The Browns aren’t at their best right now. Cleveland had an all-star roster of injured players not practicing Wednesday as it began preparing for Murray and the unbeaten Cardinals (5-0).
NFL sacks leader Myles Garrett (ankle, knee), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (knee, elbow) and running backs Nick Chubb (calf) and Kareem Hunt (wrist, knee) were among a group of key Cleveland players kept off the field because of injuries. Coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t rule anyone out.
• Meanwhile, the Cardinals will be without at least two starters.
Tight end Maxx Williams is out for the season because of a right knee injury he suffered last week in the team’s 17-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Three-time Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson (ribs) will miss the Browns game, while linebacker Chandler Jones is doubtful after testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. CHIEFS DEALING WITH INJURY ISSUES >> The Kansas City Chiefs practiced without five key starters, including wide receiver Tyreek Hill and pass rusher Chris Jones, adding a long list of physical ailments to their battered pride five games into the season.
Hill was out with a bruised quadriceps that he sustained in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Bills, when the Chiefs also lost running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a sprained knee ligament. Jones continues to deal with a lingering wrist injury.