Seattle DT Woods will miss game vs. Niners
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods was suspended for four games by the NFL on Friday for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Woods is the second Seattle player to be suspended this week. Wide receiver Josh Gordon was suspended indefinitely Monday for violating policies on performance-enhancers and “substances of abuse.”
Woods will miss the final two regular-season games — beginning with Sunday’s game against Arizona and including the regular-season finale vs. the 49ers — and at least two potential playoff games. He could return for either the NFC championship or the Super Bowl should Seattle make it that far, depending on the Seahawks’ playoff seed.
“He’s been a great kid in the program. We’ve loved what he has done,” coach Pete Carroll said.
Woods was an important role player for Seattle’s defensive line. He started five of 14 games but saw significant playing time, playing more than 50% of defensive snaps in seven games. Woods was primarily a run stopper and had 32 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles. His loss may not be felt much this week against the Cardinals but could be significant next week with the Seahawks facing the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17.
Woods is in his 10th season and first with the Seahawks.
JONES TO START AGAIN FOR GIANTS >> Rookie Daniel Jones is returning as the New York Giants starting quarterback after missing two weeks with an ankle injury.
Jones again replaces two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, who had returned to the starting lineup with Jones sidelined.
Manning is in the final year of his contract, so the decision to start Jones Sunday against Washington might signal the end of his 16-year career with the Giants.
STEELERS’ KELLY FACING CHARGES >> Pittsburgh Steelers reserve safety Kameron Kelly is facing multiple charges following an alleged altercation with police at a bar Friday morning.
The 23-year-old Kelly was charged with two counts of making terroristic threats and one count of resisting arrest after authorities said he became combative after refusing to leave Mario’s South Side Saloon.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called to the bar after an employee reported Kelly for becoming disorderly. Police say the employee told them Kelly had threatened to punch him for skipping Kelly’s selection on the jukebox. FOURTH-AND-GOAL >> Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw has dropped his appeal of a one-year NFL suspension for gambling on league games, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on Friday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Shaw’s decision to drop the appeal has not been made public. Late last month, Shaw was suspended through at least the end of the 2020 season for betting on NFL games on multiple occasions this season, the first time in more than 35 years an NFL player has been banned for gambling.
• Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry practiced fully Friday for the Tennessee Titans, who will be without starting cornerback Adoree’ Jackson for a third straight game against the Saints. Henry did not practice Thursday and was limited Wednesday. He ran for 86 yards in a loss to Houston despite not practicing at all last week leading up to the game.
• The Detroit Lions ruled out defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, tackle Rick Wagner and linebacker Christian Jones for Sunday’s game at Denver.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers’ patchwork offense could be close to full strength on Sunday when they visit the Jets.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Vance McDonald both practiced Friday, meaning they should be available to face the Jets (5-9) barring a late setback.
• Josh Rosen said he’s encouraged by his development while relegated to a backup quarterback role this year, and he has no complaint about remaining on the sideline even though the Miami Dolphins are 3-11.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will make his 10th consecutive start Sunday for Miami against the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach Brian Flores has repeatedly said he’s not changing quarterbacks because Fitzpatrick, 37, gives Miami the best chance to win in this season of rebuilding.