NFL scolds Gruden over racist remark

A report that Jon Gruden used a racist comment about NFL Players Association leader DeMaurice Smith in an email 10 years ago drew a strong and quick rebuke Friday from the NFL.

A Wall Street Journal story noted Gruden, then working for ESPN and now coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, referred in a racist way to Smith’s facial features.

“The email from Jon Gruden denigrating DeMaurice Smith is appalling, abhorrent and wholly contrary to the NFL’s values,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “We condemn the statement and regret any harm that its publication may inflict on Mr. Smith or anyone else.” The league is looking into the matter and a person familiar with that probe told The Associated Press that disciplinary action is possible for Gruden.

Gruden’s comment in an email to then-Washington Football Team president Bruce Allen came during the 2011 lockout of the players by the NFL. Gruden told the newspaper he was angry about the lockout during labor negotiations and he didn’t trust the direction the union was taking. He also apologized for the remark, the Journal reported.

“Dumboriss Smith has lips the size of michellin tires,” Gruden wrote in the email reviewed by the newspaper.

49ers

Rookie quarterback Trey Lance will make his first start for San Francisco after Jimmy Garoppolo was ruled out of this week’s game against Arizona with a calf injury. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo would play if healthy.

Seahawks

Seattle is bracing for quarterback Russell Wilson to miss at least a month and possibly up to eight weeks with a ruptured tendon in the middle finger of his throwing ( right) hand, sources told ESPN. The injury will likely require surgery. Wilson injured the finger Thursday night in a 26-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.