Dolphins switching to Rosen at QB
Desperate for help, the Dolphins are turning to Josh Rosen.
The second-year pro will replace Ryan Fitzpatrick this week as the starting quarterback and try to jumpstart a team that has been outscored 102-10 in the first two games.
A person familiar with the decision confirmed the change to The AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because the team hadn’t announced it.
Rosen can’t fix all of the rebuilding Dolphins’ many problems, but he’s considered a potential franchise quarterback and will make his first start for the team against the Cowboys on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
Rosen was traded in April after only one season with the Cardinals, who took him 10th overall in the 2018 draft. The Dolphins are eager to stop a revolving door at the position, and Rosen will be their 21st starter since Dan Marino’s last game 20 years ago.
Regardless of how Rosen plays, the Dolphins are expected to use one of their three first-round picks in 2020 on a quarterback.
Fitzpatrick, 36, was never considered a long-term solution and had a passer rating of 39.9 in the first two games. Rosen takes over an offense that netted 38 yards in the first three quarters of Sunday’s 43-0 loss to the Patriots as the Dolphins were shut out at home for the first time since 2010.
Rosen came off the bench in the fourth quarter and went 7 for 18 for 97 yards with an interception. He had two long passes dropped.
In another move, the Dolphins claimed defensive end Taco Charlton off waivers from the Cowboys.
Charlton, a first-round pick in 2017, was waived Wednesday after asking for his trade or release.
Brown quiet on allegations: Patriots receiver Antonio Brown declined to answer questions about allegations of sexual assault and rape against him and says he’s keeping his focus on football.
Brown answered only four questions at his locker in an interview Thursday that lasted just over a minute in his first interview with reporters since agreeing to a deal with the Patriots on Sept. 7.
He twice declined to answer questions about the civil case filed against him in South Florida by former trainer Britney Taylor, who claims Brown sexually assaulted her on three occasions, including rape, in 2017 and 2018. He also declined to say whether he’s heard from the league about the allegations.
He has previously denied the allegations.
Sports Illustrated also reported this week that a second woman has alleged that Brown exposed himself to her while she was working on a mural for him at his Pittsburgh home in 2017. Brown has also denied that allegation.
On Wednesday night, Nike told the Boston Globe that it dropped Brown as a representative.
Rivera walks out: Coach Ron Rivera isn’t ready to name Kyle Allen his starting quarterback for the Panthers’ game against the Cardinals.
Nor is he particularly eager to talk about Cam Newton’s foot injury.
Rivera said he would know more about the QB situation on Friday before walking out of his news conference after about two minutes. The coach grew tired of questions about Newton, who sat out his third straight day of practice Thursday.
The ninth-year coach answered four questions about Newton before telling reporters he was done talking about the QB and preferred to talk about the Cardinals instead. When pressed on Newton again, Rivera calmly replied “I’m not going to do this anymore. I told you I won’t know anymore until tomorrow. Golly,” and then walked to exit.
Allen has taken the first-team reps at quarterback this week in practice.
Extra points: Jets S Jamal Adams appealed his $21,056 fine from the league for a roughing the passer call against the Browns, and said officials later acknowledged they made a mistake . ... The Browns could be missing several starters Sunday night when they face the defending NFC champion Rams. TE David Njoku (wrist), LB Christian Kirksey (chest), RT Chris Hubbard (foot), S Damarious Randall (concussion) and S Morgan Burnett (leg) missed practice Thursday.