Goodell’s extension on proper course,
TE Bennett returns to Patriots; Colts release CB Davis.
The NFL expects a fiveyear contract extension with Commissioner Roger Goodell to be finalized soon, despite a threatened lawsuit by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said Thursday that “our expectation is this will be wrapped up soon, but we can’t project an actual date.”
The extension would carry through 2024. Goodell became commissioner in 2006.
Lockhart added that the league is aware of Jones’ potential lawsuit, which apparently has been sparked by star running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence.
“Certainly neither the compensation committee or the league has been made aware of a lawsuit being filed,” he said.
As for reports that Jones and other owners might be balking at the structure and compensation in the new contract, Lockhart noted: “I am saying the reporting about potential holdouts around particular issues has not been accurate.”
All 32 owners voted in May to extend Goodell’s contract and authorized the compensation committee to work out the details.
Patriots: Martellus Bennett is back in New England. A day after the Packers cut the tight end for his failure to disclose a medical condition, the Patriots claimed him off the waiver wire, NFL Network and other media outlets reported.
Bennett, 30, returns to the team with which he won a Super Bowl title with last season, when he had 701 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
When he’ll be able to play remains to be seen. A shoulder injury kept him out of Monday’s game between the Packers and Lions.
Bennett, with just 233 yards and no touchdowns on 24 catches in seven games with the Packers, indicated on Instagram last month that he was considering retirement at season’s end.
Colts: One day after Vontae Davis complained publicly about how the club handled his demotion, his locker was empty and the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback was gone.
After 5½ seasons in Indy, it was over just that fast.
As word leaked that the Colts could deal Davis before last week’s trade deadline, Davis told reporters Indianapolis would always have a special place in his heart.
By Saturday, he lost his starting job and stayed home as his teammates traveled to Houston. The official reason listed by the team was “non-injury related.”
On Wednesday, Davis responded by claiming he never fully recovered from the torn groin he suffered during the Colts’ third preseason game and that the injury prevented him from playing up to his standards.
Since then, general manager Chris Ballard has twice said on radio interviews the Colts were unaware of any lingering problems with Davis’ groin until Wednesday.
Dolphins: Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh sat out practice Thursday because of a knee injury but said he hopes to play Monday at Carolina. Suh left Sunday’s loss to Oakland due to the injury, and then returned and finished the game. He hasn’t missed a start because of injury in his eight-year career.
Right tackle Ja’Wuan James’ left hamstring injury could be a long-term issue, and he’s undergoing further medical evaluation, coach Adam Gase said.
Saints: Coach Sean Payton said cornerback Delvin Breaux (fibula) is not expected to play this season because of a setback which occurred after he’d been designated to return from the club’s injured reserve list.
Lions: Coach Jim Caldwell said guard T.J. Lang is in the concussion protocol. Lang, who played in Monday’s win at Green Bay, was having no issues until the start of practice Wednesday. He began feeling ill and was taken out of practice, Caldwell said.
Browns: Waived defensive back Ibraheim Campbell, who started two games at safety this season, after he injured a hamstring during practice Wednesday. The club signed defensive back Derron Smith off Cincinnati’s practice squad to fill the roster spot.