NFL News Report: NFL eyes more Thursday play The NFL may add additional Thursday night games in the future, according to a Wall Street Journal report.The Wall Street Journal, citing a person familiar with the leagues strategy, reported Tuesday that the league is weighing selling a second slate of Thursday games to a media outlet to pair with its existing 13-game slate on NFL Network.The league isnt discussing specific terms with any media outlets, nor have any formal offers been exchanged, according to the report. But the person told the Wall Street Journal the NFL is disappointed the Thursday night games on NFL Network havent earned better ratings.The leagues prevailing thought, according to the report, is that frequent Thursday doubleheaders could generate more interest. Another option reportedly includes moving some Thursday night games from NFL Network to another outlet.The NFL also wont limit itself to national cable sports networks as potential partners, and will consider online outlets, including Netflix Inc. and Google Inc., the person told the Wall Street Journal. Packers place Randall Cobb on IR The Green Bay Packers believe receiver Randall Cobb will play again this season, but it wont be for at least eight more weeks.The Packers on Tuesday placed Cobb on the injured reserve/designated for return list. The teams leading receiver left Sundays 19-17 win against the Baltimore Ravens with a leg injury that ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen confirmed was a fractured fibula.The designated-for-return rule, which went into effect last season, allows teams to place one player per season on injured reserve and then bring him back later in the season. Cobb must stay on that list for eight weeks before he can return. He can begin practicing after six weeks.That would allow Cobb to return for the Packers final three regular-season games, beginning with the Dec. 15 game at Dallas. The Packers used the IR/designated for return option last season on running back Cedric Benson, who sustained a Lisfranc foot injury in Week 5, but Benson never returned.The Packers on Tuesday also placed backup offensive lineman Greg Van Roten on injured reserve. He sustained a foot injury in practice last month.The Packers filled the two open roster spots by promoting receiver Myles White and tight end Jake Stoneburner from the practice squad. Both undrafted rookies were in training camp with the Packers.In addition to being without Cobb, the Packers are not sure whether receiver James Jones will be available for Sundays game against the Cleveland Browns. Jones sustained a knee sprain against the Ravens. Coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Jones has a chance to play this week. Jerod Mayo likely done for season New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo is not expected to play again this season after undergoing surgery for a torn pectoral muscle Tuesday, according to a league source.Yahoo! Sports earlier reported Mayos condition.Mayo, a team captain, was injured in the fourth quarter of the Patriots 30-27 victory against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. He was spotted leaving Gillette Stadium with his right arm in a sling.One of the Patriots few defenders in the front seven who plays on all downs, the six-year veteran also had the important job of leading the teams defensive huddle, getting the play call in from the sideline and relaying it to teammates. Mayo is a two-time Pro Bowler and was a 2010 first-team All-Pro selection who has led the Patriots in tackles in each of his first five seasons with the club. In the Patriots base 4-3 defense, Mayo has mostly played the weak side, with Brandon Spikes in the middle and Donta Hightower on the strong side. Rookie Jamie Collins, the Patriots top draft choice (52nd overall), is a leading candidate to step in for Mayo. Four-year veteran Dane Fletcher, whose primary contributions have come on special teams, is another option. Meanwhile, Hightower is the top choice to lead the huddle on early downs (he did so Sunday after Mayo left with injury), but because he sometimes doesnt play in sub packages, the Patriots might consider other possibilities for that role.The Patriots previously lost defensive captain Vince Wilfork to a season-ending torn Achilles on Sept. 29. That injury, coupled with Mayos, hits at the heart of the teams much-improved defense.On Monday, when asked about Mayos potential absence, Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich said, A guy like Mayo is a great leader and a great teammate. ... We all work together, and its a team defense here. If guys like myself have to have more of a leadership role and do a little more, thats all right with me. -Mangers Tony
Posted on: Wed, 16 Oct 2013 05:19:03 +0000
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