Houston-Dallas game funds go to recovery
While J.J. Watt still thinks the Houston-Dallas preseason game shouldn’t be played because of catastrophic flooding in Houston, the star defensive end for the Texans is getting his wish that money generated by the exhibition finale will go to Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.
Watt, who started a fundraising page that reached $4 million in donations in barely more than two days, reiterated his stance that the game originally scheduled for Houston tomorrow night should have been scrapped instead of moved to the home of the Cowboys.
The Texans, who are in charge of the game since they are technically the home team, said yesterday that tickets and parking will be $25 apiece. Tickets were available online last night.
“I think the only good thing that can possibly come out of a game on Thursday would be a massive fundraiser,” Watt said. “This is bigger than football. It’s bigger than a game. It’s bigger than any of us.”
Haden on block?
Joe Haden’s bounce-back season might not happen with the Browns.
The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, who has been limited by injuries the past two years, is reportedly being shopped, and Cleveland coach Hue Jackson did nothing to clarify Haden’s future.
After practice, Jackson did not deny a CBSSports. com report that the Browns are “aggressively trying to trade” Haden.
Giants cut Odighizuwa
The New York Giants waived third-year defensive end Owa Odighizuwa a day after the NFL suspended him for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances . . . .
Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott’s appeal of his six-game suspension regarding a domestic violence incident is headed for a second day with no timeline for completion . . . .
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman is out of the NFL’s concussion protocol program and has been cleared for full practice, coach Dan Quinn said . . . .
Phil Taylor is out for the season after tearing his left quadriceps tendon, leaving the Washington Redskins with a big void to fill on the defensive line.
Colts’ Davis hurt
Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis suffered what Colts coach Chuck Pagano called a “pretty significant” groin injury that could keep him out of the season opener and perhaps longer . . . .
The Steelers acquired tight end Vance McDonald from the 49ers for a fourthround pick in the 2018 draft. Pittsburgh also received a 2018 fifth-round selection in the deal.