Sanders reveals pair of surgeries
Broncos wideout underwent procedures on Achilles, ankle
Emmanuel Sanders’ comeback was more complex than he had let on.
The Broncos’ 32-year-old receiver revealed this week that he had surgeries on both ankles in the offseason, one to repair his left Achilles tendon, which he tore in practice last December, and one to fix a severely sprained right ankle a month later.
Sanders recounted fans approaching him at the mall last winter and asking, “How’s the Achilles doing?” while pointing at the boot on his right foot.
“I’m like, ‘I’m good. But it’s not my Achilles. It’s actually my ankle,’ ” Sanders said Tuesday. “But I kind of kept that under wraps because I didn’t want you guys writing stories of hey, there’s no way he can battle through two surgeries. So, I just said I’m going to keep it under wraps and let you guys know once I get myself back healthy and feeling good.”
Tate’s appeal shot down: Giants wide receiver Golden Tate has had the appeal of his four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s policy on performance enhancers turned down.
The decision by an independent arbiter means the 10-yearveteran will miss the first four games of the regular season, starting with the Cowboys on Sept. 8.
Tate, who signed a $37.5 million contract as a free agent with the Giants in March, announced the suspension in a Twitter post on July 27. He said he intended to appeal it and felt his case had merit because he was using a fertility drug prescribed by a doctor.
Tag team: The NFL and Jay-Z’s entertainment and sports representation company are teaming up for events and social activism.
The league not only will use Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to consult on its entertainment presentations, including the Super Bowl halftime show, but will work with the rapper and entrepreneur’s company to “strengthen community through music and the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative.”
Inspire Change was created by the league after an agreement with a coalition of players who demonstrated during the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice in this country. Those demonstrations were sparked by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem in 2016.
NFL owners agreed to contribute up to $89 million over six years toward causes players were supporting.
Extra points: Packers coach Matt LaFleur said QB Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the first-team offense and firstteam defense will play for about “a quarter or so” Thursday against the Ravens . ... WR Antonio Brown returned to Raiders training camp facility after missing time to see a specialist for his frostbitten feet and losing a grievance with the NFL over the use of a helmet . ... The Jaguars will sit QB Nick Foles and most of their starters against Foles’ former team in this week’s preseason game against the Eagles . ... The Jets signed veteran CB Marcus Cooper for depth in their depleted secondary and waived TE Nick Truesdell. Cooper has played in 74 games, including 28 starts in six NFL seasons.