Winston in, Fitzpatrick out as Bucs’ starting QB
TAMPA, Fla. – The bye week is coming at a good time for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who not only are trying to get acclimated to having Jameis Winston back in the lineup, but need to find a way to fix a leaky defense.
Coach Dirk Koetter made it official Monday, confirming Winston will start the team’s next game – at Atlanta – on Oct. 14.
The No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 draft missed the first three games of the season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Ryan Fitzpatrick became the first player in league history to throw for more than 400 yards in three consecutive games while leading the Bucs to a 2-2 start in Winston’s absence.
Patriots get sparkplug WR Edelman back from suspension: The New England Patriots got their sparkplug back Monday.
A matter of hours after a 38-7 thrashing of the previously undefeated Miami Dolphins, Julian Edelman returned from his four-game suspension for performance enhancers, reportedly showing up in the locker room for the first time in a month before 7 a.m.
“It’s good. He hasn’t changed a bit,” Tom Brady said later in the day. “Four weeks off, he looks good.”
Added long-time teammate Matthew Slater, whose locker is next to Edelman’s: “It’s good to see him. Julian and I have a very unique relationship. I’m glad that he’s back. I’m looking to attack the short week together.”
The Patriots host the
Colts on Thursday night.
Edelman was not available to reporters on Monday and a club spokesman said the slot receiver will talk “Thursday at the earliest.”
There is no guarantee Edelman, who missed all last season after suffering a torn ACL in a non-contact injury in August 2017 in a preseason game, will even play Thursday. But don’t bet against it. He has missed the past 23 meaningful New England games.
Edelman played in three of the four preseason games before having to leave the team. He had seven catches for 49 yards, three for first downs. But if you look back past the injury, you see a player who caught 98 passes for 1,106 yards and three touchdowns in 2016.
Jaguars planning to play without Leonard Fournette again: The Jacksonville Jaguars are preparing to play without running back Leonard Fournette again, maybe even for a longer stretch than before.
Fournette re-injured his right hamstring in a 31-12 victory against the New York Jets on Sunday, and coach Doug Marrone has no timetable for his return. Indianapolis
The second-year pro had tests following the game, and Marrone says results show the injury is no worse than before. Considering Fournette missed two and a half games after initially tweaking it and clearly returned too soon, it makes sense that the Jaguars (3-1) would be even more cautious this time around.
Jacksonville plays at Kansas City on Sunday.
Marrone says “if I knew exactly what the deal was and I could tell you, three, six, 10, IR, whatever, I would. I just don’t know.”
Vrabel: Titans safety Kenny Vaccaro will miss ‘few weeks’: Titans coach Mike Vrabel says safety Kenny Vaccaro will miss a few weeks after hurting his right elbow in Tennessee’s overtime win over Philadelphia.
Vrabel said Monday the Titans (3-1) will look at who’s available on the roster and the practice squad. Vaccaro was signed in August after starting safety Johnathan Cyprien tore his left ACL early in training camp.
Vaccaro was hurt defending a 15yard run by the Eagles inside the final minute of the first half of Sunday’s 2623 overtime win. Vaccaro watched the rest of the game from the sideline wearing a sling over his right arm. Vaccaro.
Vrabel says linebacker Wesley Woodyard is being evaluated after hurting his shoulder early with the Titans hoping the veteran won’t miss any time.
The Titans play at Buffalo on Sunday.