Jets sign former Texans TE Griffin
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets have signed former Texans tight end Ryan Griffin.
The move Monday adds depth to a spot at which the team will be a bit shorthanded when the regular season begins. Secondyear tight end Chris Herndon was suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
New York also has veterans Eric Tomlinson and Daniel Brown, and rookie Trevon Wesco at the position, but all three are known primarily for their blocking skills.
Griffin had 136 catches for 1,491 yards and seven touchdowns in six seasons with the Texans after being a sixth-round draft pick out of UConn in 2013. He had 24 receptions for 305 yards in 14 games last season, but he was released in May.
Griffin faced some legal issues in Tennessee in April when Nashville Police say they arrested him for drunkenly punching out a front window of a downtown hotel. Charges of vandalism and public intoxication were later dismissed.
League suspends Seahawks’ Reed
The Seahawks will be without defensive lineman Jarran Reed for the first six games of the season after he was suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Reed may participate in preseason practices and games, but he will not be available to the Seahawks until Oct. 14.
The suspension stems from an incident in April 2017. He was being investigated for assaulting a woman, who then filed an assault complaint. But Reed was not charged.
Durkin isn’t popular guest
Looking for a positive vibe after a disappointing season, the Falcons instead faced scrutiny over a coaching decision that would normally attract scant attention.
Shortly after taking the field for their first practice, the Falcons announced former Maryland coach DJ Durkin will serve as a guest coach during training camp.
This is first official coaching job for Durkin since he was fired by the Terrapins last season amid allegations that a toxic culture within his program led to the death of 19-yearold offensive lineman Jordan McNair.
Head coach Dan Quinn defended the hiring and said he expects Durkin to provide valuable insight into a defense that endured a rash of injuries in 2018.
Bills’ Gore has minor injury
A person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press the Bills have placed running back Frank Gore on the non-football injury list due to what is considered a minor injury.
The person did not reveal the nature of Gore’s injury or how he was hurt in speaking to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team has not released any information.
Buffalo signed the 36year-old Gore to a one-year contract in free agency in March. He is the NFL’s active leader with 14,748 yards rushing and is being counted upon to play a backup role behind LeSean McCoy.