Cousins to start for Redskins
The Washington Redskins have made a quarterback change: Kirk Cousins will be the starter this season, not Robert Griffin III.
“We feel like at this time, Kirk Cousins gives us the best chance to win,” Coach Jay Gruden said, unseating Griffin, the 2012 offensive rookie of the year. “It’s Kirk’s team.”
Although Gruden said that it’s Cousins’ job for the season, not just the Sept. 13 opener against Miami, the quarterback is not overconfident.
“It’s a step in the process,” Cousins said. “It doesn’t feel like a finish line by any means. Time will tell. It’s going to be an interesting ride.”
Griffin, who has struggled since tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in a January 2013 playoff loss to Seattle, was scheduled to start last Saturday’s preseason game at Baltimore before being scratched the previous day after a concussion suffered Aug. 20 against Detroit.
Bills choose Taylor
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who goes by the nickname “T-Mobile,” got the call to be the Buffalo Bills’ season-opening starter.
Though he’s never started an NFL game in four seasons, Taylor’s dynamic dual-threat potential trumped the experience of his two competitors when Coach Rex Ryan made his long-awaited decision Monday.
“It came down to basically that explosiveness that Tyrod brings to us,” Ryan said. “All three guys made it difficult, but at the end of the day, that’s kind of what we went with.”
Taylor won the job over former Bills starter and 2013 first-round draft pick EJ Manuel, and Matt Cassel, a 10-year journeyman who was acquired in an off-season trade with Minnesota.
Bryant is suspended
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
The second-year player’s appeal of the suspension was denied by the NFL on Monday.
Bryant became a key target for Ben Roethlisberger toward the end of the 2014 season, making 26 receptions for 549 yards and eight touchdowns. He was a fourthround draft pick out of Clemson last year and was expected to be a strong complement to All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown.
Etc.
General Manager Dave Caldwell said that Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas will get a second opinion on his injured right hand, and if he needs surgery, he would be sidelined another four weeks. … The Oakland Raiders have released running back Trent Richardson, according to reports. … New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson will be back in court in Missouri on Oct. 5 after pleading not guilty to resisting arrest and traffic charges. … The Carolina Panthers acquired wide receiver Kevin Norwood in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for an undisclosed 2017 draft choice. … The Jaguars traded longtime kicker Josh Scobee to the Steelers for a sixth-round draft pick in 2016.