Ex-Fins coach files suit vs. Wells
The former Miami Dolphins offensive line coach implicated in the team’s 2013 bullying scandal has filed a lawsuit against Ted Wells, the NFL’s lead investigator into the case.
Assistant coach Jim Turner was fired five days after Wells released a report on his investigation in early 2014. The suit was filed against Wells — who also led the NFL’s “Deflategate” investigation — and his Delaware law firm, Paul Weiss.
According to the suit, the defendants’ false and misleading statements have caused Turner “significant psychological and emotional pain and suffering.” He seeks damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
In the Dolphins case, Wells found that guard Richie Incognito and two teammates engaged in persistent harassment directed at tackle Jonathan Martin, another offensive lineman and an assistant trainer. Martin left the team at midseason in 2013, and Incognito was suspended for the final eight games.
Smith to retire
Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, one of 12 players in NFL history with 900 catches, says he will retire after this season — his 15th in the league.
The five-time Pro Bowler spent his first 13 season with Carolina. He intends to leave after the second season of a three-year contract with Baltimore. . . .
Joe Thomas screamed and crumpled to the ground in pain. In an instant, a routine morning practice for the Browns turned much more significant. The team is awaiting further medical tests on Thomas, their ultra-durable Pro Bowl left offensive tackle who injured his right leg when massive rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton inadvertently rolled up on it during an 11-on-11 drill. . . .
Emotions boiled over and got the best of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton at practice culminating in a heated scuffle. Fights are common during training camps, but rarely involve franchise quarterbacks. Newton went at it with cornerback Josh Norman, a skirmish that ended with both players at the bottom of a pile and having to be separated by teammates. Neither player was injured. . . .
Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews returned to practice after being out a week with knee soreness. Matthews said he doesn’t know if he will play Thursday against the Pats. . . .
The lawyer for Washington Redskins linebacker Junior Galette says a civil suit against the player has been dismissed.
Bolts slam home city
The city and county’s updated plans for a new $1.1 billion stadium in San Diego were immediately trashed by the Chargers, making it look increasingly doubtful the long-running, contentious issue can be solved by City Hall’s Sept. 11 deadline to have a deal in place to qualify for a January vote. The plans were unveiled a few hours after a local contingent made a presentation to the NFL’s Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities in Chicago.