Titans Pro Bowl tackle says he’s suspended 4 games
NASHVILLE, TENN. >> Taylor Lewan, Tennessee’s threetime Pro Bowl left tackle, says the NFL has suspended him for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancers.
Lewan announced his suspension Wednesday in an emotional video he posted to social media, saying he received the letter from the NFL a few weeks ago that he had tested positive for ostarine. He said he wanted to share the news himself, which comes a day before the Titans report for training camp.
“I’ve never taken anything that would cheat the game. I’m so sorry to the Tennessee Titans,” Lewan said before pausing, taking a deep breath and wiping his eyes. “I’m sorry to the Titans, to the fans, that I won’t be there for four games. I’ve never cheated myself, and I never want you guys to feel cheated. And I’m sorry. But I’m going to be better for this. I’m going to come back.”
The Titans had no immediate comment.
Lewan says he took a polygraph voluntarily and shared the results to his Instagram account showing he passed when saying no to whether he ever knowingly took ostarine or used any illegal drug to boost his performance. The left tackle, who’s going into his sixth season, says he also had his supplements tested by a third party but knows he’s responsible for what goes in his body.
The Titans made Lewan the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL with a new contract at the start of training camp a year ago. They just signed guard Rodger Saffold in free agency to anchor the left side of the offensive line to better protect quarterback Marcus Mariota, who’s in the final season of his contract.
Tennessee does have right tackle Jack Conklin available for the start of training camp along with Dennis Kelly and Kevin Pamphile, who spent much of the offseason practicing at right guard, as other options at tackle. The Titans open the season Sept. 8 at Cleveland. RAMSEY ARRIVES IN ARMORED TRUCK >> Jalen Ramsey crouched in the back of an armored truck, peered through a small window and waited for his introduction.
The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback then flung open both doors, revealing dozens of phony bank money bags and a huge smile.
Ramsey put on quite a show as the Jacksonville Jaguars reported for training camp Wednesday. The performance likely will serve as the start of a yearlong push for a new contract.
“It’s time to get this money, money,” the driver said into a megaphone as Ramsey exited the vehicle.
Ramsey is entering the final year of his $23.3 million rookie contract. The Jaguars exercised the fifth-year option in the deal, meaning he’s tied to the club for $13.7 million in 2020.
Ramsey is one of the top cornerbacks, if not the best, in the league. He has nine interceptions and 44 pass breakups in three seasons while typically shadowing each opponent’s No. 1 receiver.
The Jaguars expect the former Florida State standout to be a long-term piece of their defense. But they’re unwilling to give him an extension with two years remaining and already told him so.
Still, Ramsey made it clear with his grand entrance that he expects to get paid handsomely — sooner rather than later.
The driver dressed in all black and sporting an armored vest pulled up near the front gate and delivered a loud and glowing intro for teammates, fans and media.
“Y’all know what time it is?” the driver said. “This man’s coverage is so good he’s fixing to have his own cellphone service. The man’s so good they’re fixing to give him his own jail — called Jalen Towers — because these receivers are on 24-hour lockdown. If you check his pocket, he’s got eight Master locks in his pocket. They’re on lockdown all season. The man, the myth, Jalen Ramsey.”
JETS REPORT WITHOUT TOP ROOKIE >> The New York Jets are setting up camp without their top rookie.
Defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, the No. 3 overall pick in April, remained unsigned Wednesday morning and was not among the players who arrived at the team’s training facility to report for training camp.
“This is part of the end of the draft process,” coach Adam Gase said. “When he’s ready, he’s ready. When they’re ready to get it done, whenever that happens, it happens. We’ll coach the guys that are here.”
Williams is slotted to receive a four-year contract worth $32.6 million fully guaranteed, with a fifthyear team option. The sticking point appears to be the schedule of how the former Alabama star’s signing bonus — about $21.7 million — will be paid.
According to published reports, Williams would like to receive the entire sum by the end of the year, while the team and new general manager Joe Douglas are looking to defer some of it into next year.
The sides could still reach an agreement before the Jets hold their first camp practice Thursday morning. For now, though, Williams is the only Jets player to not report.
“When he gets here, he gets here,” Gase said. NEWTON’S SHOULDER CHIEF CONCERN >> While Cam Newton has been medically cleared to throw at training camp following offseason shoulder surgery, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the team’s training staff will closely monitor the quarterback’s reps, and coaches will script his plays daily.
“We have a plan,” Rivera said Wednesday. “Obviously it will be structured around our installation. So the things that we have going on with our install will dictate what he does.”
The Panthers arrived at Wofford College for their 25th training camp with plenty of questions, not the least of which is the status of Newton’s right shoulder. It became problematic last season, limiting the 2015 league MVP from throwing more than 20 yards downfield.
When the Panthers needed to throw a Hail Mary pass, Newton was subbed out.
The 30-year-old Newton sat out the last two games of the season after the Panthers were eliminated from playoff contention. He had arthroscopic surgery in January.
When asked if there will be any restrictions on how far Newton can throw the football, Rivera said, “well, we will see.
“We believe he is ready to roll,” Rivera added. “He had a good offseason. He had a good break, from what we are told. Again, the proof is in the pudding.” BROWN OPEN UNFRAID OF EXPECTATIONS >> Freddie Kitchens isn’t shying away from the high expectations being placed on his team.
The first-year Browns coach confidently stated his goal “to win the Super Bowl” at a pre-training camp press conference held with general manager John Dorsey.
Cleveland added a pair of Pro Bowl players in wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive end Olivier Vernon, building on the momentum of a 7-8-1 season fueled by rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The Browns finished 0-16 two years ago and went 635 days and 19 games without a victory until beating the Jets on Sept. 20, 2018. Cleveland last had a winning season in 2007 and hasn’t made the playoffs in 17 years.