Titans sign star running back Henry to long-term deal
The Tennessee Titans have made sure that the NFL rushing leader is sticking around for a few more years.
The Titans announced Wednesday they had agreed on a “multiyear extension” with Derrick Henry just before the NFL deadline for a long-term deal to avoid the running back having to play this season under the franchise tag.
Henry reportedly received a four-year deal for $50 million with $25.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.com.
The Titans faced a deadline of 1 p.m. Wednesday to sign Henry to an extension or let him play this season for the $10.2 million due under the franchise tag he signed April 2.
He led the NFL with 1,540 yards rushing last season with 303 carries. He also became the first player in NFL history to run for at least 180 yards in three consecutive games, a streak started in the regularseason finale, running the Titans to their first AFC Championship game in 17 years.
BROWNS>> Myles Garrett signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Cleveland Browns, making the edge rusher the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player. The deal includes $100 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network.
Garrett was under contract through 2021 after the Browns exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal in April. He’ll make $4.6 million in 2020 and $15.18 million next season before the extension kicks in.
TAG WITHOUT LONG-TERM DAL
LAS DEAL >> Dak Prescott will play the 2020 season under the one-year franchise tag after the Dallas Cowboys and their star quarterback couldn’t agree on a long-term contract.
Prescott signed his $31.4 million contract in June.
COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS STICKING
POINT IN TALKS >> As the NFL works on coronavirus-related protocols for a return to the field, ESPN reported that a major sticking point in negotiations with the NFL Players’ Association is how to classify a player’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
The NFLPA reportedly is against classifying a COVID-19 diagnosis as a “non-football injury.” The concern is that teams are not required to pay players on the non-football injury list.
The NFLPA has made other requests of the NFL, such as daily virus testing, the elimination of preseason games and compensation for players who opt out of the upcoming season for COVID-19-related reasons.
FORMER NFL AND USC PLAYER
DAVID LEWIS DIES >> Linebacker David Lewis, a key member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 1979 team that reached the NFC title game, has died. He was 65.
Lewis died Tuesday in Tampa, Florida. The cause was not immediately known, but he had struggled with health issues in recent years, according to USC, where he played in college.
Lewis was among the defensive stars on the 1979 team that reached the NFC title game, capping the franchise’s “worst to first” transformation.
Lewis also played for the San Diego Chargers in 1982 and Los Angeles Rams in 1983.
RECEIVER STILLS RELEASED AFTER PROTEST ARREST >> Houston Texans receiver Kenny Stills was among 87 protesters arrested outside Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron’s home Tuesday night as they advocated for the arrests of the police officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor in March.
According to the Louisville Courier Journal, Stills has been charged with intimidating a participant in a legal process — which is a felony — criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.