NFL admits penalty should have been called on Mayfield hit
The NFL flagged itself for blowing the call on the nasty helmet-to-helmet hit put on Browns quarterback and former Oklahoma standout Baker Mayfield.
The league said Friday that Tampa Bay safety Jordan Whitehead should have been penalized for striking Mayfield in the side of the helmet in last Sunday's 26-23 overtime win.
Mayfield was sliding at the end of a 35-yard scramble when he got blasted by Whitehead, who was initially penalized before the officials conferred and decided to pick up the flag — and one against Mayfield for taunting.
First-year referee Shawn Hochuli made the situation worse by incorrectly announcing that Mayfield "was still a runner and therefore is allowed to be hit in the head."
Whitehead is expected to be fined, a person familiar with the league discipline told the AP earlier this week.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because fines are announced Saturday.
Eagles’ Jenkins: Headlines, spotlight won’t stop activism
Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins does not believe the heated exchange he had with the Carolina Panthers' Eric Reid diminishes the impact of his fight for racial and social justice.
Jenkins, the face of the Players' Coalition, and Reid, a former member, shouted at each other during and after the Eagles' 21-17 home loss on Sunday.
Reid branded Jenkins a "sellout" after the game and said he "co-opted the movement" started by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick because the group of players has chosen to work with the NFL to further its cause.
Seahawks, Kendricks remain in limbo about suspension
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Friday he's been in contact with the NFL regarding a review of the indefinite suspension given to linebacker Mychal Kendricks and is hopeful some sort of decision will come early next week.
Kendricks met with league officials earlier this week, according to Carroll, and the Seahawks have been awaiting on whether the suspension may be reduced and whether they might have the linebacker available at some point later in the regular season.
Kendricks was placed on indefinite suspension by the league earlier this month after he pleaded guilty to federal insider trading charges.
Late Thursday: Watson throws 5 TDs, Texans beat Dolphins
Deshaun Watson matched his career high with five touchdown passes to lead the Texans to their fifth straight victory, 42-23 over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night in Houston.
The second-year quarterback has played well at times this year but hadn't had a breakout game while dealing with rib and lung injuries over the past few weeks.
The Texans (5-3) have left their 0-3 start behind with their longest singleseason winning streak since reeling off six victories in a row in 2012.
The Dolphins fell to 4-4.
Miami's Brock Osweiler,
who had one tough season in Houston after signing a $72 million contract in 2016, threw for 241 yards with an interception in his third straight start in place of injured starter Ryan Tannehill.
Texans running back Lamar Miller, who grew up in Miami and spent his first four seasons with the Dolphins, had 133 yards rushing and a touchdown for his second straight 100yard game.
Texans WR Fuller out for season
Texans receiver Will Fuller has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season.
He was injured during the fourth quarter of Houston's win over Miami on Thursday night.
Fuller had a season-high 124 yards receiving with a 73-yard touchdown on Thursday before the injury.