Concussion may spoil Garrett’s trip
BEREA, Ohio — Myles Garrett might be limited to sightseeing at Big Ben or Buckingham Palace this weekend.
Cleveland’s dazzling rookie defensive end could miss Sunday’s game in London against the Minnesota Vikings after being placed in concussion protocol.
The top overall pick in this year’s draft out of Texas A&M arrived at the team’s facility with concussion-like symptoms on Tuesday. Because of the timing, Garrett might not be cleared in time to help the winless Browns (0-7), who will leave Thursday for their game abroad.
The 21-year-old Garrett is not under any travel restrictions, and it’s possible he’ll fly with the team if he can clear concussion protocol following practice.
Browns coach Hue Jackson remains hopeful Garrett will be able to play.
The injury is another setback for Garrett, who missed Cleveland’s first four games after spraining his right ankle days before the season opener.
Garrett has been dominant when he’s healthy. He recorded a sack on his first play as a professional and leads the team with four sacks.
Nugent to kick for Cowboys
A week after trying out for Washington, Mike Nugent will kick against the team Sunday with the Dallas Cowboys.
Nugent didn’t get the job in Washington, so instead he’ll fill in for Dan Bailey, the most accurate in NFL history among kickers with at least 100 attempts.
There is a time frame of two to four weeks for Bailey, who injured his right groin Sunday.
Ray’s IR stint only six games
There’s a loophole in the NFL rules that require players on injured reserve to miss eight weeks and Shane Ray is slipping right through it.
Ray returns to the Denver Broncos’ starting lineup Monday night at Kansas City after missing just six games with a broken left wrist that required surgery in late July.
He only had to miss a half-dozen games because the Broncos’ bye counted as one week and Week 8 technically ends Sunday night. So, the Broncos and Ray lucked out with the way the schedule falls.
Kuechly likely to play Sunday
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly practiced in full pads and coach Ron Rivera says he’s on pace to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kuechly has not yet been cleared from the NFL concussion protocol, Rivera said. The league’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 is expected to meet with independent physicians later this week. However, the fact he practiced without any restrictions is a positive sign for Carolina.
Kuechly, a three-time All-Pro, suffered his third concussion in three seasons in a Thursday game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 12.
Lions’ Prater signs extension
Matt Prater needed a new NFL team and a place to call home three years ago.
The standout kicker got both in Detroit.
The Lions gave Prater a second chance after the Denver Broncos cut ties with him and have been satisfied enough to keep him under contract through the 2020 season.
“It’s definitely a relief,” Prater said after signing a three-year extension. “Anytime you get a little more security, it’s always a good thing. I’m excited to be here. Very fortunate. It’s going to be good for my family to call Detroit home for a while.”
Odds and ends
The Chicago Bears dealt a seventh-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for wide receiver Dontrelle Inman, a move coaches said is still pending a physical. …
Cornerback Buster Skrine has a concussion and his status is uncertain for the New York Jets game Sunday.