Cutler out, Moore back in for Fins
Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler has been ruled out of tomorrow’s game against the Patriots because of a concussion, and backup Matt Moore will make his second start of the season. Cutler practiced yesterday, but remains in the concussion protocol. He threw three interceptions in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay before he left at halftime because of his injury.
Moore threw for 282 yards and a score in the second half. He started for an injured Cutler three weeks ago at Baltimore and Miami lost 40-0.
Moore has been on a perpetual merry-go-round in Miami. First, he lost a battle for the starting job to Ryan Tannehill in 2012. Then he was bypassed again this season when the team brought in Cutler to start after Tannehill was lost for the year to a preseason left knee injury.
“My role is what it is,” Moore said. “When Ryan was here, I was the backup. When they signed Jay, who knows what’s going to happen, I became the backup again and it was defined. My role is what it is and I do my best to execute it, whatever it is. That’s the way I roll with this thing.”
Fitzgerald hit with fine
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was fined $24,309 by the NFL for an illegal crackback block against the Houston Texans last Sunday.
Fitzgerald was assessed a 15yard penalty after Adrian Peterson was stopped for no gain on the play, which occurred midway through the first quarter of the Cardinals’ 31-21 loss in Houston.
Seattle safety Earl Thomas was docked $24,309 for his hit on Atlanta’s Levine Toilolo, who caught a touchdown pass last Monday. Thomas was penalized for hitting Toilolo in the helmet with his shoulder in the end zone . . . .
Kansas City linebacker Terrance Smith was fined the same amount for his blindside helmetto-helmet hit on Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie.
Oakland’s Johnny Holton was docked $12,154 for unsportsmanlike conduct, stemming from when he smacked Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones on his helmet after a play.
Revis may play for KC
Chiefs linebackers Dee Ford and Terrance Smith have been ruled out for tomorrow’s game against Buffalo, while newly signed cornerback Darrelle Revis could be active for the first time this season.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Revis, who signed a two-year deal on Wednesday, moved around well in practice.
Bills coach Sean McDermott isn’t ruling out Kelvin Benjamin from playing against the Chiefs, even though the receiver has not practiced since hurting his right knee last weekend.
Freeman out again
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and was ruled out for tomorrow’s game against Tampa Bay . . . .
Jets running back Matt Forte will be a game time decision to play against Carolina because of his ailing right knee.