Belichick says scout filming Bengals was ‘doing his job’
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on Wednesday shed very little light into the NFL’S investigation of the organization for shooting video of the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline this past weekend.
Belichick was rather curt with reporters, marking the third straight day in which he was asked about a team videographer who was caught filming the Bengals’ sideline during Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
When asked whether the scout involved was aware of the rules that he can’t film from the press box, Belichick said, “He was doing his job. That’s what he was doing, he was doing his job. Like we all tried to do.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell declined to put a timeline on the investigation when asked about it Wednesday at his press conference at the league meetings in Las Colinas, Texas.
In other news:
■ The New Orleans Saints placed defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and defensive end Marcus Davenport on injured reserve, officially ending their seasons.
The team added replacements at each position by signing defensive tackle T.Y. Mcgill and defensive end Noah Spence.
Rankins and Davenport were hurt in the Saints’ Sunday loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Rankins has what multiple outlets have reported as a significant ankle injury that will likely require surgery, while Davenport reportedly has a Lisfranc foot injury.
■ Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen returned to practice on a limited basis and is expected to play Sunday after missing five of the team’s past six games due to a hamstring injury.
Thielen first injured his hamstring Oct. 20 against the Detroit Lions while catching a 25-yard touchdown. He tried to return in a Nov. 3 game at Kansas City but left after just seven snaps, as the same hamstring continued to give him problems.
Vikings running back Alexander Mattison did not practice because of an ankle injury, but the Southern California native says he plans to play in the Sunday game at the Los Angeles Chargers.