LEAGUE HANDS LYNCH ONE-GAME SUSPENSION
Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch was suspended by the NFL for one game without pay because of his unsportsmanlike conduct in Thursday night’s AFC West game against the Chiefs, when Lynch made contact with an official.
The official was diffusing a confrontation in which Lynch was not a participant.
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, noted in his letter to Lynch: “You made deliberate physical contact with one of our game officials as he was diffusing an active confrontation between players. You were disqualified for your inappropriate and unsportsmanlike actions. Your conduct included pushing the game official and grabbing his jersey.”
Runyan also wrote that Lynch was “the only player from either team who ran from the sideline to midfield to insider himself into a situation in which he was not directly involved.”
Lynch has appealed his suspension, ESPN reported Friday. According to Raiders offensive tackle Donald Penn, Lynch ran onto the field to protect Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters, who was involved in the scrum.
“You know, Marshawn is his cousin, man. They’re like brothers,” Penn said. “Marshawn was just trying to get his cousin and make sure his cousin was safe because Marshawn saw three big O-linemen going after his cousin, and Marshawn knows how we get down as offensive linemen.”
Packers put Rodgers on IR.
WIS.» The plan for GREEN BAY,
Aaron Rodgers’ recovery — and possible chance to return this season — was being finalized Friday, one day after the Packers’ star quarterback underwent surgery to repair his broken right collarbone.
The Packers placed Rodgers on injured reserve but could bring him back after eight weeks. They are holding out hope that Rodgers could return for their Dec. 17 game at Carolina. That’s the soonest he would be eligible to come off injured reserve.
Winston will start for Bucs.
Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who has been day to day with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, will start against the Bills on Sunday, coach Dirk Koetter said.
Winston threw passes for the first time in four days, and Koetter gave Winston all the reps in Friday’s practice.
Footnotes.
Running back DeMarco Murray, tight end Delanie Walker and linebacker Derrick Morgan are questionable for the Titans against the Browns. … After being limited by injuries in practice this week, Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu and defensive end Courtney Upshaw are expected to play against the Patriots. … Bills receiver Jordan Matthews is questionable against the Buccaneers because of a thumb injury.