Cardinals DL Peters out for rest of year with knee injury
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Corey Peters is out for the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
The 32-year- old Peters was hurt just before halftime of Arizona’s 32-30 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. He had to be carted off the field and coach Kliff Kingsbury acknowledged after the game that the injury looked serious.
K ingsbur y confirmed on Wednesday that Peters would miss the final seven games of the regular season. The 10-year veteran has been with the Cardinals for five years and started all nine games this season. He had 15 tackles, including three for a loss.
Kingsbury didn’t elaborate on Peters’ injury. The NFL Network said Peters suffered a torn patellar tendon.
ALL TEAMS TO ENTER IN
TENSIVE COVID-19 PROTOCOL SATURDAY >> The NFL is placing all teams in intensive protocol starting Saturday to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 as the number of cases rises around the country.
Use of masks will be mandatory at all times at team facilities, including during practice and in weight rooms. Meetings must be held either virtually or in the largest indoor space with approval by the league. Meals have to be made available for grab-and-go to avoid players and staff congregating in cafeterias. Time spent in the locker room also has to be limited.
Clubs operating under the intensive protocols have reduced close contacts by more than 50% since the fifth week of the regular season, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press that was sent from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to teams on Wednesday.
SECOND OPINION CONFIRMS BREES’ INJURIES >> Further testing has confirmed that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees suffered a collapsed lung and fractured ribs, according to reports. The 41-year- old quarterback was injured in the Saints’ 27-13 victory Sunday over the San Francisco 49ers.
No time frame has been determined for Brees to be able to get back on the playing field for the 7-2 Saints. PANTHERS SAY MCCAFFREY
NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY AGAINST LIONS >> Running back Christian McCaffrey is not expected to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions, a big blow for a Carolina team that is trying to snap a fivegame losing streak. The team announced the news on its website Wednesday.
It will be the second straight game McCaffrey has missed because of a shoulder injury and the eighth game he’s missed overall this season.
Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had a protective red jersey on at practice Wednesday after injuring his knee on Sunday in Carolina’s 46-23 loss to the Buccaneers, and his status for the game remains unclear.
GIANTS BRING IN NEW OL COACH >> The New York Giants made a change to the coaching staff during their bye week, replacing offensive line coach Marc Colombo with Dave DeGuglielmo.
Head coach Joe Judge and DeGuglielmo worked together on Bill Belichick’s staff in New England during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. DeGuglielmo, 52, previously served as an assis
tant offensive line coach with the Giants from 200408 under Tom Coughlin.
NFL Network reported that Judge’s original plan was to bring in DeGuglielmo an offensive line consultant, but Colombo verbally expressed his displeasure with that decision Wednesday morning. The Giants denied a report that Colombo and Judge got into a fistfight, calling it “absolutely false in every way.” BROWNS’ GARRETT HOME
SICK, TEAM PLACES 3 MORE ON COVID LIST >> Star defensive end Myles Garrett stayed home feeling sick, and the Browns placed three more players, including starting right tackle Jack Conklin and kicker Cody Parkey, on the COVID-19 list as the team prepares for this week’s home game against Philadelphia.
The team also placed dependable long snapper Charley Hughlett on the growing list. Andy Janovich and offensive lineman Chris Hubbard are already on the list after testing positive.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski couldn’t elaborate on whether Conklin, Parkey or Hughlett tested positive for coronavirus, but it’s believed they’ve been identified as high risk due to close contact with a nonstaff member who tested positive.
If they continue to test negative, they’ll be able to play Sunday against the Eagles.
CHIEFS TO SIGN CB BAKER TO
PRACTICE SQUAD >> The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly plan to sign former New York Giants cornerback Deandre Baker to their practice squad. NFL Network broke the news Tuesday night, one day after Florida prosecutors dropped robbery charges against the 2019 first-round draft pick.
Baker, 23, started 15 of his 16 games as a rookie last season with New York, tallying 61 tackles, two tackles for loss and eight passes defensed.
FREE AGENCY TO OPEN MARCH 17 >> The NFL freeagency period is slated to open March 17. That’s according to the tentative 2021 calendar agreed to by the league and the NFL Players Association and shared Wednesday by NFL Network. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all dates are subject to change.