Browns want K.C. assistant penalized
Cleveland center JC Tretter believes Kansas City assistant coach Greg Lewis should be disciplined by the NFL for his role in a sideline skirmish with safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. of the Browns on Sunday.
Harrison was ejected from Cleveland’s 33-29 loss in the first quarter after he forcefully pushed Lewis, who shoved the Browns’ safety after coming over to help Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Tretter, the NFL players’ union president, didn’t condone Harrison’s behavior, but said Lewis needs to be held accountable by the league.
“I expect that the coach gets held to the same standard — if not a higher standard — than Ronnie,” Tretter said. “Being the first one in there and being a coach, putting his hands on an opposing player.
“I don’t think there’s any room for that in this league.”
An NFL spokesman said the incident is under review and Harrison will not be suspended. It’s likely he’ll be fined.
After an 11-yard gain, Edwards-Helaire was tackled on Kansas City’s sideline by Harrison and linebacker Mack Wilson. With Edwards-Helaire on the ground, Harrison was standing over him when Lewis, the running backs coach, came over and shoved Harrison.
Cleveland’s safety gave a high shove to Lewis’ neck area, knocking his headset askew.
Kansas City’s bench initially was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. After review, the officials tossed Harrison, the dismissal costing the Browns one of their best defensive players. Lewis was allowed to stay on the sideline, which didn’t sit well with the Browns.
“He should get the same treatment that our players get,” said All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett.
Whatever occurred, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Harrison needed to show better judgment. “It’s the oldest thing in football: The game officials always see the second guy,” he said, “and Ronnie has to show some poise there and not retaliate.”
Washington QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick is going on injured reserve with a hip injury, and Washington is turning to Taylor Heinicke to start at quarterback against the Giants on Thursday night.
Head coach Ron Rivera does not plan on bringing in a veteran QB like Cam Newton or former Washington QB Robert Griffin.
“We like the guys that we have,” Rivera said. “We’ve had them play for us. They’ve done some good things for us, so we’ll see what happens.”
The plan is Heinicke starting, Kyle Allen backing up and Kyle Shurmur as the emergency third option after the son of former Giants head coach and current Denver offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was signed to the practice squad.
Briefly: Detroit cornerback Jeff Okudah has a seasonending Achilles tendon injury suffered in the Lions’ loss to the 49ers on Sunday . ... The Titans are going to another kicker, waiving Michael Badgley a day after he missed an extra-point attempt and a 46-yard fieldgoal try in their loss to Arizona. He had been signed Friday after an injury to Sam Ficken. Randy Bullock, who was signed to the practice squad, could replace him . ... Jets left tackle Mekhi Becton was diagnosed with a kneecap dislocation and an MCL sprain and is expected to miss at least four weeks . ... Kansas City head coach Andy Reid said All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu, who had been on the COVID list, will return to face the Ravens in Sunday night’s road game.