Times wires
Monday, December 10, 2012
ASHBURN, Va. — All the medical terms associated with Robert Griffin III's knee injury can be boiled down to one simple message: It's not too bad.
Beyond that, there are still some unknowns.
The NFL's top-rated quarterback might or might not play Sunday when the Redskins visit Cleveland. Coach Mike Shanahan will wait to publicly commit to Griffin or fellow rookie Kirk Cousins. "Both of them will have a game plan," Shanahan said Monday.
Griffin has a mild (Grade 1) sprain of the lateral collateral ligament, on the outside of the knee. He was hurt on a hit by Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata at the end of a 13-yard scramble late in regulation of Washington's 31-28 overtime win on Sunday.
Rulings due today
Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue will rule today on the latest round of player appeals in the NFL's bounty probe, and any potential punishment will be delayed by a week, AP reported. The delay is designed to give a federal judge in New Orleans the opportunity to rule on pending motions to throw out the suspensions and remove Tagliabue as the appointed arbitrator for the player appeals to the league, according to the report. The delay on potential sanctions for four current or former Saints also means linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith can play Sunday when the Bucs visit New Orleans.
RAVENS AX COORDINATOR: Cam Cameron was fired as Baltimore's offensive coordinator. The former Dolphins head coach ran the Ravens' offense since 2008; this year the unit ranks 18th at 344.4 yards a game. "Personally, this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do as a coach," John Harbaugh said. Former Colts coach Jim Caldwell, who had been Baltimore's quarterbacks coach, will take over. Also, the Baltimore Sun reported that Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda might be out with a significant injury to his right ankle.
SCHEDULE SWITCH: The first change this season under flex scheduling was made, with the 49ers-Seahawks game on Dec. 23 moving to prime time. The Chargers-Jets game, originally in that slot, was moved to 1 p.m. and the Giants-Ravens game shifted to 4:25.
BEARS: Quarterback Jay Cutler said he expects to play this week against Green Bay after leaving Sunday's loss at Minnesota with a sore neck.
BILLS: Running back Fred Jackson (sprained ligament, right knee) is out for the season, coach Chan Gailey said.
CHIEFS: Dwayne Bowe (ribs) will miss next week's game at Oakland and coach Romeo Crennel said their leading receiver might be out for the season.
COWBOYS: Wide receiver Dez Bryant injured his left index finger — ESPN reported that it was broken — and coach Jason Garrett said he was being evaluated.
DOLPHINS: They were awarded receiver Armon Binns off waivers from Cincinnati.
EAGLES: Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy passed concussion tests and could return to practice today. Tight end Brent Celek, who sustained a concussion Sunday against the Bucs, will miss Thursday's game against Cincinnati.
49ERS: They suspended running back Brandon Jacobs for the final three games after his series of social media posts addressing his lack of playing time.
JAGUARS: Coach Mike Mularkey was released after a brief visit to a hospital. The team, which offered few details, said he had tests after feeling ill Monday.
RAIDERS: Linebacker Rolando McClain was reinstated from the suspended list and cornerback Chimdi Chekwa was promoted from the practice squad. The team cut starting cornerback Ron Bartell and fullback Owen Schmitt.