Another clock error occurs
For the second week in a row, the NFL acknowledged an officiating error in a nationally televised game.
This time, the problem was twofold: 18 seconds were incorrectly run off the clock late in the fourth quarter Monday night in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-20 victory at the San Diego Chargers, and none of the game officials noticed the gaffe and corrected it.
In a statement emailed Tuesday, league spokesman Michael Signora said “an error by the clock operator” after a touchback allowed the extra time to tick away, and “it is the responsibility of the side judge to supervise the timing of the game.”
The statement added: “Had the side judge or any of the other six on-field officials noticed the timing error, they could have corrected it.”
In last week’s Monday night game, an official missed a late-game call in Seattle’s 13-10 victory over Detroit, giving the Seahawks the ball even though one of their defenders knocked a fumbled ball out of the end zone, which should be a penalty. That prompted the NFL’s head of officiating, Dean Blandino, to say the officials blew it.
The most recent mistake happened after San Diego kicked a field goal to take a 20-17 lead with 2:56 left. The ensuing kickoff sailed out of the end zone for a touchback, so the clock never should have started. It did begin moving, and by the time Pittsburgh lined up for the first play of its crucial drive, only 2:38 left.
Atlanta’s Jones has ‘plan’ to play
Atlanta Falcons Coach Dan Quinn said he anticipated star wide receiver Julio Jones would play Thursday night against the Saints, but Jones stopped short of saying he will be ready.
“That’s my plan, to play,” Jones said Tuesday. “But who knows?”
Jones was limited by a sore hamstring during Sunday’s victory against the Redskins and has just three days to heal before the Falcons play the Saints.
Chiefs’ Charles put on injured reserve
The Chiefs placed Jamaal Charles on injured reserve Tuesday after the star running back tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while making a cut against the Chicago Bears. Charles had an MRI test Monday that confirmed the extent of the injury.
Bills sign free-agent quarterback
With starter Tyrod Taylor’s playing status uncertain, the Buffalo Bills took a precautionary step in addressing their quarterback depth behind backup EJ Manuel by signing free agent Josh Johnson.
Etc.
The Baltimore Ravens added three cornerbacks to their injury-riddled defense. On Tuesday, they signed free-agent cornerback Shareece Wright, who played 14 games with San Diego last season, and Asa Jackson and Charles James off their practice squad. To make room for the newcomers, Baltimore put cornerback Will Davis on injured reserve and cut cornerback Rashaan Melvin and linebacker Jason Babin .... Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly returned to practice exactly one month after suffering a concussion in Carolina’s season-opening win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s expected to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.