Hall of Fame lineman Humphrey dies at 77
Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey, one of the NFL’s most fearsome pass rushers during the 1970s with the Atlanta Falcons, has died at the age of 77.
Humphrey, who also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, died unexpectedly in Atlanta on Friday night, according to the Hall of Fame, which was informed of his death by his daughter. No cause was given.
Humphrey was the No. 3 overall pick by the Falcons out of Tennessee State in 1968 and went on to play 11 years with the team, earning the last of six Pro Bowl appearances as a member of the famed “Grits Blitz” defense in 1977.
He went to the Eagles in 1979 and served as a designated pass rusher on the 1980 team that reached the Super Bowl.
Humphrey retired after the 1981 season, before sacks became an official stat, but he was retroactively credited with 130 sacks over 13 seasons (he missed the entire 1975 season recovering from a knee injury).
Humphrey was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Claude Humphrey,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said. “Known as a hard worker and a reliable teammate, Humphrey was always willing to help the team out wherever needed and knew success was achieved collectively. His humble spirit guided him on and off the field.” STEELERS’ WATT OFF COVID-19 LIST >> The Pittsburgh Steelers activated star linebacker T.J. Watt off the COVID-19 list, giving their beleaguered defense a boost before today’s visit by AFC North-leading Baltimore.
Pittsburgh placed Watt on the list Monday, a day after a 41-10 loss to Cincinnati dropped the Steelers to 5-51. He did not practice during the week, remaining away from the team’s facility as part of the league’s COVID-19 protocols.
Watt’s 12½ sacks rank second in the league.
RAIDERS’ WALLER OUT >> Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller was ruled out for today’s home game against the Washington Football Team.
Waller sustained knee and back injuries during Las Vegas’ 36-33 overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. He didn’t practice at all this week.
Waller has caught 53 passes for 643 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games this season.
VIKINGS’ KENDRICKS WON’T PLAY >> Minnesota Vikings linebacker and top tackler Eric Kendricks will not play today at Detroit due to a biceps injury.
Kendricks has started every game this season and registered a team-high 109 tackles with four sacks and two interceptions.
PETERSON JOINS SEAHAWKS ROSTER >> The Seattle Seahawks elevated veteran running back Adrian Peterson from the practice squad to the active roster for today’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Seattle made the roster move due to questions about its running back depth. The Seahawks listed starter Alex Collins, and backups Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer as questionable due to injuries. Collins has been slowed by an abdominal injury but hasn’t missed any games. Penny (hamstring) and Homer (calf) both missed last week’s loss at Washington.
Peterson was signed to the practice squad on Wednesday. The 36-year-old played three games earlier this season for Tennessee after Derrick Henry went down with injury. Peterson started two games and had 27 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown run.
He was released by the Titans on Nov. 23.
Now in his 15th season, Peterson is the fifth-leading rusher in NFL history with 14,902 yards. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection and 2012 league MVP is fourth all-time with 119 career rushing touchdowns.