Rams-Chiefs say adios to Mexico City
The NFL moved the Rams’ Monday night showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs from Mexico City to Los Angeles yesterday due to the poor condition of the field at Azteca Stadium.
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The league announced the extraordinary decision six days before one of the mostanticipated regular-season games of the year.
In a news release, the league said it determined that the recently re-sodded field at Mexico City’s historic stadium “does not meet NFL standards for playabili- ty and consistency, and will not meet those standards by next Monday.”
The Rams (9-1) will host the Chiefs (9-1) at the Coliseum instead. The much-anticipated game is just the fifth meeting since 1970 between teams with one or fewer losses in Week 11 or later.
The decision creates a morass of logistical concerns for the teams and fans traveling to Mexico, and it disappoints thousands of Mexican fans eager to see a marquee matchup in North America’s most populous city. But the league consulted with the Players Associa- tion and local officials before deciding it couldn’t risk the players’ health on a damaged field.
Bell done for ’18
Running back Le’Veon Bell declined to sign his one-year $14.4 million franchise tender with the Pittsburgh Steelers by yesterday’s deadline, making him ineligible to suit up for the AFC Northleading Steelers or anyone else this season.
The unusual decision to sit out won’t prevent Bell from becoming a free agent next spring, when the three-time Pro Bowler hopes to cash in with a contract that would make him the highest-paid back in the NFL.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin seemed resigned to Bell’s decision shortly before the 4 p.m. deadline, saying simply “so be it” when asked about the possibility of Bell never returning to the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2013 draft and helped mold him into one of the league’s top players.
Bills cut Pryor
The Buffalo Bills released receiver Terrelle Pryor two weeks after signing the eighth-year player.
Pryor had just two catches on eight targets for 17 yards in two games . . . .
The Los Angeles Chargers placed linebacker Denzel Perryman (knee) on injured reserve and promoted linebacker Tre’von Johnson from the practice squad.
Perryman injured the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee during the first quarter of Sunday’s 20-6 win over Oakland.
Cincy hires Jackson
Hue Jackson needed only a few weeks to land another job in the place where he’s always welcomed.
The Bengals hired Jackson as a special assistant to head coach Marvin Lewis. Jackson was fired by the Cleveland Browns last month after he won only three games in three seasons as head coach. ...
The Tennessee Titans signed running back Dalyn
Dawkins off their practice squad with David Fluellen out at least against Indianapolis with an injured knee . . . .
The Oakland Raiders released defensive lineman
Kony Ealy one week after signing him to a contract.