Dolphins keep QB race open
Choosing the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback has become a close call, mostly because both candidates have been only so-so, and coach Brian Flores isn’t ready to announce his decision.
He is not sure he’ll be ready before the final exhibition game, either.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to start the third game of the preseason Thursday against Jacksonville, with Josh Rosen coming off the bench. But that doesn’t mean Fitzpatrick has clinched the No. 1 job, Flores said yesterday, even though the Dolphins are treating the game as a dress rehearsal for the season opener Sept. 8 against Baltimore.
Flores said he might announce his choice after the Jacksonville game, and before the final exhibition game next week.
“Potentially,” Flores said. “We’ll have most of the evaluation done. Potentially we would be able to make that call. But we may not.” Dolphins running back
Mark Walton was sentenced to six months’ probation after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor weapons charge.
Raiders’ Brown back
Star receiver Antonio Brown returned to training camp with the Oakland Raiders, a day after being given an ultimatum by general manager Mike Mayock to be “all in or all out.”
Brown took part in meetings in Napa before the team broke camp, a person familiar with the situation said on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t release details.
Brown didn’t attend practice Sunday as he works to find a helmet that he’s comfortable using and that meets safety standards set by the NFL and NFLPA. Brown lost a grievance last week seeking to use the Schutt Air Advantage helmet he has used throughout his career because it was too old to be certified as safe . ... Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is participating in practice and is expected to play in the Packers’ third preseason game Thursday against the Raiders in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Bills cut Gaines
The Buffalo Bills reached an injury settlement and released cornerback E.J.
Gaines.
The move was listed among the NFL’s transactions made Sunday and comes two weeks after the fifth-year player suffered a core muscle injury during training camp. Gaines was competing for a starting job opposite Tre’Davious White.
He rejoined the Bills this offseason after spending last year with Cleveland Browns, where he was limited to playing six games before suffering a season-ending concussion.
Colts make moves
The Indianapolis Colts put second-year receiver
Daurice Fountain and running back D’Onta Foreman on injured reserve and waived veteran safety Derrick Kindred. The Colts filled those spots by signing former UMass running back Marquis Young, rookie safety Kai Nacua, and veteran running back Charcandrick West.
Fountain suffered a dislocated and fractured left ankle in practice last Thursday and had season-ending surgery Friday.
Foreman was claimed off waivers from Houston two weeks ago and was in for seven snaps in Saturday’s loss to Cleveland . ... Titans running back Der
rick Henry was back at practice for the first time since hurting his left calf on the opening day of Tennessee’s training camp.
The Titans also removed kicker Ryan Succop and tight end Jonnu Smith from the physically unable to perform list after each passed physicals.