Garrett to appeal ban this week
Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett will make his case to the NFL to have his indefinite suspension reduced on Wednesday.
Garrett, 23, was banned indefinitely by the league on Friday, one day after striking Steelers QB Mason Rudolph with a helmet during the closing seconds of the Browns’ 21-7 victory.
Garrett requested to attend the appeal hearing in New York and plans to be there. He was banned for at least the last six regular-season games and the playoffs should the 4-6 Browns get there. It’s the longest suspension in league history for a single on-field infraction.
The 2017 No. 1 overall draft pick and Pro Bowler is not permitted to be with the Browns while serving his suspension. As part of his punishment, he’s also required to meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office before he can be reinstated.
Garrett doesn’t seem to have a strong case for getting his suspension reduced. The league ruled he used Rudolph’s helmet “as a weapon” and his alarming conduct in a nationally televised game was universally condemned by fans and former players.
Browns coach Freddie Kitchens told ESPN.com that the team will continue to support Garrett while not excusing him for his actions.
“Myles Garrett’s a good person,” Kitchens said. “We’re not going to pile on Myles. He had a bad lapse in judgment and that’s it.”
Browns DT Larry Ogunjobi was slated to have his one-game ban heard Monday. He was suspended for shoving Rudolph to the ground, escalating the brawl.
Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey will have his appeal heard on Tuesday. He was suspended three games after coming punching and kicking Garrett while coming to Rudolph’s defense.
The Browns and Steelers play on Dec. 1 in Pittsburgh.
Ravens’ Jackson a favorite: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is no longer a long shot to win NFL MVP.
For the first time this season, Jackson, 22, sits atop the odds to win the award. He is 7-5 at Caesars Sportsbook, after entering the season — his second in the NFL and first as a full-time starter — at 50-1.
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is second at 2-1, while Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is third at 9-1.
Last season’s MVP, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, is 10-1.
No Newton decision yet: The Panthers will not make a decision on the future of QB Cam Newton until he is healthy, NFL.com reported, citing The Athletic’s Joe Person.
“There's no other legitimate way for management get a full understanding of where the former NFL MVP stands at this point in his career,” owner David Tepper said. “Until then, the issue will have to remain on the shelf.”
Newton, 30, was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 5 with a foot injury and is considering surgery. He is owed $18.6 million plus a $2 million bonus in 2020.
Colts’ Mack has surgery: Colts RB Marlon Mack underwent surgery on his fractured hand, coach Frank Reich said.
Reich also did not have a timetable for when his star might return.
Now in his third season out of South Florida, Mack, 23, leads the Colts with 862 yards rushing and seven rushing touchdowns.
He injured his hand in the third quarter of Sunday’s 33-13 victory over the Jaguars.
Extra points: Browns QB Baker Mayfield won his appeal and won’t have to pay a $12,500 fine he received from the NFL for criticizing officials after a 32-28 loss to the Seahawks last month. Mayfield, 24, called the officiating “pretty bad” and he was particularly critical of a penalty called against WR Jarvis Landry. ... Bears coach Matt Nagy insisted that he pulled QB Mitchell Trubisky near the end of Sunday’s 17-7 loss to the Rams because of right hip pain and not because he’s ready to bench him. Nagy said he wasn’t sure about Trubisky’s availability to face the Giants on Sunday. But he also made it clear that the 25-year-old Trubisky “absolutely” remains the starter if healthy.