Torn ACL knocks out Browns’ Beckham for rest of season
Odell Beckham Jr. was determined to make 2020 a special year. He wanted re- establish himself as one of the NFL’s best players and lead the Browns back to the playoffs, along with with best friend and teammate Jarvis Landry.
Beckham won’t get the chance.
The star receiver’s second season with Cleveland ended Monday after an MRI confirmed he sustained a torn left knee ligament in the opening minutes of Sunday’s 37-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Beckham’s injury is a devastating personal blow and a potentially major setback to the Browns, who are off to their best start since 1994 and eyeing their first postseason appearance in 18 years.
“Obviously, it’s a big loss,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s a huge part of what we do, so now we just have to huddle up and find some different ways and find some different people and put them in that role. ... I’m sick for Odell.”
T he three - time Pro Bowler got hurt when his left leg buckled while he was trying to make a tackle after Baker Mayfield’s first pass was intercepted by Bengals cornerback Darius Phillips.
An MRI taken Monday in Cleveland confirmed the diagnosis of the torn ACL, an injury that typically requires nine months to one year of recovery time. The team said Beckham will be placed on injured reserve, but Stefanski did not have a timetable on when he will have surgery.
The Browns (5-2) played well without Beckham, who hasn’t been able to make a strong connection with Mayfield since arriving in a blockbuster trade from the New York Giants before last season. The three-time Pro Bowler played most of 2019 with an injury that required offseason surgery.
After Beckham went out Sunday, Mayfield completed 21 consecutive passes and threw five TD passes as the Browns outlasted Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
NEWTON ‘ EMBARRASSED’ BY PLAY, FEARS PERMANENT CHANGE >> Cam Newton watched the end of the 33- 6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on the bench and fears the New England Patriots might make the change permanent.
Newton completed 9 of 15 passes for 98 yards with three interceptions before coach Bill Belichick turned the offense over to secondyear quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
“For any type of competitor, do you feel embarrassed? Yeah,” Newton said Monday on a Boston radio show. “The first thing I said to myself coming home was, ‘ You keep playing games like that, bro, and it’s going to be a permanent change.’”
Belichick said Newton is still the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart after Sunday’s defeat.
“Yeah. Absolutely ,” Belichick said. “Just wanted to give Stid a little experience.”
DOLPHINS PLAYERS SAY THEY’RE EXCITED ABOUT TUA’S 1ST START >> Tua Tagovailoa’s winning personality helped the Miami Dolphins avoid any locker room backlash when he was promoted to replace popular veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Plus, Tagovailoa’s teammates believe he’s really good.
“You wouldn’t think he was a rookie if you watched him in practice,” defensive end Shaq Lawson said Monday, when the Dolphins returned from their bye weekend. “The kid is incredible, and I’m looking forward to going out there and playing with him Sunday.
“I’ve seen how athletic he is, how incredible a player he is. He’s going to lead this team in the right way.”
MISTAKES COST SEAHAWKS IN OVERTIME LOSS TO CARDINALS >> Kyler Murray and
Online: The RamsBears game was still in progress when this edition went to press. Go to stats. mercurynews.com/gamematchups for game details and a box score.
Russell Wilson traded long throws and scrambling runs all night, putting on a prime-time show in the desert.
When the game got to overtime, it was Murray, heir — air- and-leg — apparent to Wilson among diminutive quarterbacks, who rose to snatch the victory. Now, the Seattle Seahawks are unbeaten no more.
Wilson threw his third interception of the game in overtime and Zane Gonzalez followed with a 48-yard field goal, knocking the Seahawks from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 37-34 loss Sunday night.
Seattle (5-1) won its first five games behind a prolific offense and Wilson’s MVPcaliber start to overcome a shaky defense.
The Seahawks followed the same blueprint against the Cardinals (5-2), as Wilson repeatedly escaped pressure and winged passes into tight windows to build a late 10-point lead.
Wilson finished with 338 yards and three touchdowns passing, running for 84 more yards. Murray, who’s 5-foot-10 like Wilson, threw for 360 yards and three TDs, adding 67 yards rushing.
They combined to become the first quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era to have at least 300 yards passing and 50 rushing in the same game. BRONCO SD L PURCELL( FOOT) OUT FOR SEASON >> Denver Broncos defensive lineman Mike Purcell is out for the season after injuring his foot during Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Purcell, who just signed a contract extension earlier this month, suffered a Lisfranc injury that will require surgery, head coach Vic Fangio said.
Fangio also said that running back Phillip Lindsay is in the concussion protocol after a hard hit by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Daniel Sorensen on Sunday. Lindsay left the game in the first half and did not return.