Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Seahawks trade Percy Harvin to Jets, according to reports.
JETS
Harvin heads to Jets
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets have acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin from the Seattle Seahawks.
Two people familiar with the trade told The Associated Press on Friday that Harvin, a star in last season’s Super Bowl but injury prone throughout his career, was headed to the Jets. The people spoke anonymously because the deal wasn’t officially announced by either club.
Harvin, 26, has played in only 43 career games since being a firstround pick (22nd overall) by Minnesota in 2009. He was traded to the Seahawks in 2013, appearing in just one regular-season game because of hip surgery. But he had two rushes for 45 yards and ran back the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown in Seattle’s 43-8 victory over Denver in the Super Bowl.
Terms weren’t immediately available.
Harvin has battled a thigh injury and was listed as questionable for the Seahawks’ game at St. Louis this weekend. The Seahawks have tried to find a variety of ways to use him in their offense as a runner, receiver and on special teams, but injury problems slowed their plans.
Harvin has 22 receptions for 133 yards this season, with 12 of those catches coming behind the line of scrimmage. He has only one catch on a ball thrown more than 10 yards, according to STATS. Harvin’s average of 6 yards per catch is last among all wide receivers in the NFL averaging at least two receptions per game.
He also has 11 runs for 92 yards and 1 touchdown, and 12 kickoff returns for 283 yards.
SEAHAWKS
4 starters out
RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks will be without four starters Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
The Seahawks ruled out tight end Zach Miller, middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, center Max Unger and cornerback Byron Maxwell on Friday. In addition, reserve defensive linemen Cassius Marsh and Jordan Hill have been ruled out.
It leaves Seattle (3-2) short-handed as it attempts to rebound from a loss Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys — the Seahawks’ second loss at home in the past three seasons.
TEXANS
Clowney returns
HOUSTON — No. 1 overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney returned to practice Friday and hopes to play Monday night when Houston visits Pittsburgh.
Clowney practiced Friday in a limited capacity for the first time since the defensive standout at South Carolina had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Coach Bill O’Brien said they’ll decide before the game Monday if he can play, and while hopeful that he can go, Clowney said he wouldn’t be surprised if he can’t. Clowney, 6-6, 274, said he remains limited despite being almost six weeks removed from the surgery.
The outside linebacker was injured in the season opener Sept. 7 and had surgery the next day. It was the third injury for Clowney since he was drafted in May. He had sports hernia surgery in the offseason and suffered a concussion during training camp.
SAINTS
TE Graham questionable
METAIRIE, La. — Tight end Jimmy Graham said Friday he expects his playing status in Detroit to be decided by Coach Sean Payton on Sunday, shortly before the game.
Graham has returned to practice on a limited basis this week despite a shoulder injury that knocked him out of New Orleans’ Week 5 victory over Tampa Bay. He practiced Thursday and Friday and was listed as “questionable” on Friday’s injury report.
The Saints are coming off a bye, which offered Graham an extra week’s rest.
Graham leads New Orleans with 34 catches for 376 yards and 3 touchdowns.
GIANTS
Cruz looks to return
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Wide receiver Victor Cruz has no doubts that he will recover from a serious injury to his right knee and return to football next season.
Speaking to the media for the first time since tearing the patellar tendon and undergoing surgery earlier this week, Cruz said doctors have told him that his rehabilitation will last 4-8 months
Cruz, 27, said teammates Marcus Harris and Zack Bowman have had surgery on their patellar tendons and they told him they came back just as good as before the injury.
Cruz said he has made a videotape for the Giants (3-3) to see Saturday night in Dallas, a day before their game with the Cowboys (5-1).
BROWNS
Center Mack on IR
CLEVELAND — The Browns have placed Pro Bowl center Alex Mack on injured reserve with a broken left leg, officially ending his 2014 season.
Mack broke his fibula Sunday while blocking on a running play in the first half of Cleveland’s 31-10 victory over Pittsburgh. Mack underwent successful surgery Thursday in Charlotte, N.C. The team said Mack is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of the 2015 season.
Mack, a University of California graduate, has spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Browns. Right guard John Greco is expected to fill in for Mack and start at center this week against Jacksonville.
BEARS
CHARGERS
LB Briggs still out
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — For the second consecutive week, the Chicago Bears will be without starting linebacker Lance Briggs because of a rib injury.
Briggs was ruled out Friday for Sunday’s home game against Miami after he missed practice all week.
Linebacker Shea McClellin, who had been out since suffering a hand injury in Week 2, is probable. So is linebacker D.J. Williams (neck injury), who missed last weekend’s game.
Linebacker Jonathan Bostic is questionable after missing last week’s game with a back injury. Also out Sunday is safety Chris Conte, who has failed to finish four games this season because of concussions and shoulder injuries. Rookie Brock Vereen will start in his place.
The Bears will likely have their starting offensive line back for the first time since the season opener as left tackle Jermon Bushrod returns from knee and ankle injuries.
Flowers practices
SAN DIEGO — Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers practiced Friday as San Diego prepares for Sunday’s game against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs.
Flowers left last Sunday’s 31-28 victory over the Oakland Raiders with a groin injury. Friday was the first time Flowers tested it this week.
Flowers, who leads the Chargers with two interceptions, played in Kansas City before signing as a free agent last offseason. He was looking forward to battling his former squad.
Linebacker Jerry Attaochu (hamstring) didn’t practice this week and is listed as doubtful.
Designated as out are running backs Ryan Mathews (knee) and Donald Butler (concussion) and linebacker Manti Te’o (foot).
JAGUARS
Ankle hobbles Gerhart
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jaguars will be without running back Toby Gerhart for a second consecutive week because of an ankle injury. Gerhart missed the previous game in Tennessee and thought he would be ready play Sunday against Cleveland.
Gerhart first hurt his ankle in the opener in Philadelphia. He played the next four games but never had more than 10 carries in any game. His season totals are 48 carries for 123 yards and 1 touchdown.
Cornerback Alan Ball and defensive end Andre Branch returned to full practice Friday and will play Sunday.
PACKERS
Shields ruled out
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Cornerback Sam Shields has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against Carolina with a knee injury.
Shields, who leads the team with two interceptions, suffered what Coach Mike McCarthy said is a knee