NFL NOTEBOOK
Texans fire coach Bill O'Brien after 0-4 start
Houston Texans coach and general manager Bill O'Brien has been fired.
The firing comes after Sunday' s loss to the Vikings dropped the Texans to 0-4 for the first time since 2008.
After assuming the role of general manager in the offseason, O'Brien received almost universal criticism when he shipped superstar receiver De Andre Hopkins to Arizona for running back David Johnson and draft picks.
The pressure on O'Brien only intensified as the Texans limped out to the terrible start with Johnson struggling as their running game was the worst in the NFL and with the defense allowing the most yards in the league.
O'Brien was in his seventh season in Houston where he compiled a 100-52 record. He won the AFC South four times in his tenure, including the past two years.
Commissioner Goodell says forfeits possible for COVID-19 protocol violations
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has warned the league' s 32 teams of penalties including potential forfeits of games for violations of C OVID -19 protocols that force changes in the regular-season schedule.
In a memo sent to the teams Monday after a conference call involving NFL and club executives, Goo dell reiterated the need to adhere fully to all of the league's health and safety guidelines.
“Protocol violations that result in virus spread requiring adjustments to the schedule or otherwise imp acting other teams will result in additional financial and competitive discipline, including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game ,” Goo dell wrote in the memo obtained by The Associated Press.
“Simply put, compliance is mandatory. Now is the time to recommit ourselves to our protocols and best practices for the duration of the season.”
Browns star Chubb to miss `several weeks' with knee injury
Cleveland's powerful Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb will miss “several weeks” with a sprained ligament in his right knee, a major blow to the improved Browns, who are off to their best start since 2001.
Chubb injured his medial collateral ligament in the first quarter of Sunday's 49-38 win over the Cowboys, moving the Browns to 3-1 for the first time in 19 years.
Browns first-year coach Kevin Stefanski said Chubb, t he NFL's second-leading rusher in 2019 and one of the league' s rising stars, will be placed on injured reserve. Unlike previous seasons, teams can put players on the injured list and bring them back after a minimum of three games.
Stefan ski expressed relief that Chubb's injury was not more serious, and said the unassuming 24-year-old does not need surgery, though, he would not speculate on a timetable for Chubb's return to the field. CHARGERS: Los Angeles running back Austin Ekeler will be out for at least the next three games because of a hamstring injury he suffered during Sunday's 38-31 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ekeler was injured during the first quarter and came into the game leading the AFC with 378 scrimmage yards. It is likely Ekeler would be placed on injured reserve to free up a roster spot.