Vikings’ Griffen getting mental health evaluation
Last week, the Minnesota Vikings were concerned enough about Everson Griffen's state of mind that they barred the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end from practice until he had a mental health evaluation.
After a scary series of incidents on Saturday, Griffen remained away from the team on Tuesday and out of action indefinitely.
According to police in Minnetrista, the Minneapolis suburb where he lives, Griffen was making comments about people trying to kill him. He was eventually transported by ambulance to an area hospital for his well-being.
Police said Vikings director of security Kim Klawiter requested a welfare check for Griffen's wife, Tiffany, and their three children after a recent pattern of erratic and disruptive behavior at team headquarters had caused concern.
Officer Michael Kokesh met with Griffen's wife, who told him that Griffen got up in the middle of the night on Sept. 16 and left the house, which he has done before in attempt to deal with "demons in his head," according to a police report. Griffen was gone for several days, at one point sending his wife a text message that referenced suicide.
Bucs mum on who is starting QB
Jameis Winston is back on the job, though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still aren't saying if it's as the team's starting quarterback.
Winston's three-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy ended Tuesday, the first day the fourth-year pro was permitted to return to the team's training facility and have contact with coaches and teammates.
It was a day off for players following Monday night's 30-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, however coach Dirk Koetter said the first overall pick from the 2015 draft showed up bright and early. What Koetter declined to say was whether Winston or Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has the Bucs off to a 2-1 start while throwing for more than 400 yards in a league-record three consecutive games, will start Sunday.
Rams’ cornerback undergoes surgery
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Aqib Talib will undergo surgery Thursday to repair an ankle injury. Rams coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that a timetable for Talib's return will not be known until after the procedure is completed and the full extent of the injury he sustained in the second half of the 35-23 win over the Chargers on Sunday is determined.
"It depends on once you get in there. We'll find out once that surgery takes place," McVay said.
The Rams acquired the 2016 All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl defensive back in a trade with Denver for a fifth-round pick in the offseason.
Panthers trade to shore up offensive line
The Carolina Panthers have addressed their injurydepleted offensive line by acquiring veteran Marshall Newhouse in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo acquired a conditional draft pick from Carolina in the trade on Tuesday. The Bills then filled Newhouse's spot by signing offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles to a one-year contract.
Carolina was missing three offensive line starters in a 31-21 win over Cincinnati. Tackles Matt Kalil and Daryl Williams are on injured reserve, while guard Trai Turner did not play because of a concussion.
Titans sign veteran quarterback
The Tennessee Titans have added a quarterback with
Marcus Mariota dealing with an injured elbow and backup
Blaine Gabbert in the concussion protocol. The Titans made a flurry of moves Tuesday agreeing to terms with veteran quarterback Austin Davis. They also placed offensive lineman Kevin Pamphile on injured reserve to create a roster spot after he started the last two games.
Davis joins his sixth NFL team after starting his career with the then-St. Louis Rams in 2012 as a rookie free agent out of Southern Mississippi.