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Patriots release veteran DT Mike Purcell
The New England Patriots released veteran defensive tackle Mike Purcell on Wednesday after signing him on Aug. 1 for depth on the line. Purcell, 33, started 10 of his 16 games played with the Denver Broncos last season and recorded 25 tackles, five quarterback hits and one fumble recovery. In eight seasons for the San Francisco 49ers (2014-16) and Broncos, he has 208 tackles, including 3.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, as well as three fumble recoveries in 90 games (45 starts). Undrafted out of Wyoming, Purcell also spent time on several teams' practice squads from 2013-18, including two separate stints with the Patriots in 2017. --Field Level Media
5-star OT Michael Fasusi commits to Oklahoma
Five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi, ranked the 12th best overall player in the Class of 2025, committed to Oklahoma on Wednesday. Fasusi, out of Lewisville, Texas, chose the Sooners over the Longhorns, Texas A&M, Missouri, Oregon and Alabama among 37 offers. "I almost committed on the official visit to Oklahoma," Fasusi told On3. "That visit to Norman really summed it all up. It wasn't just me, but my family felt it, too. The coaches did more than impress me, they made my family feel comfortable and we all felt the love." The 6-foot-5 Fasusi is the third-best tackle in the class and fifth-best recruit out of the state of Texas, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Fasusi gives Oklahoma coach Brent Venables his first five-star commit in the class. The Sooners have the eighth-best class in the country, according to 247Sports. No. 16 Oklahoma opens its 2024 season at home vs. Temple on Aug. 30. --Field Level Media
Browns RB Pierre Strong Jr. leaves practice in ambulance
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. left practice in an ambulance Wednesday after suffering a rib contusion. Strong, 25, was injured running through hanging tackling dummies, according to reports. He walked off the field with trainers and got into the ambulance as a precaution while experiencing shortness of breath. He later was released from University Hospitals. "Pierre has done a really nice job in special teams, a really nice job in the run game, pass protection, pass game, obviously has always been good in that area," Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said. Stefanski also confirmed that cornerback Denzel Ward has...
NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns
Aug 17, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Wilson says he's playing in preseason finale
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson said he expects to play in the team's final preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday. Wilson, who has battled a calf injury during training camp, was largely ineffective in five series leading the offense against the Buffalo Bills last week. "Yeah, we're all playing. I'm excited to get back on the field," Wilson told reporters Wednesday. "Last week was great to be out there for the first time, putting more pads on and everything else. And obviously we didn't get the win and everything else, but I think the big thing for us...
Broncos 'trust instincts," name rookie Bo Nix starting quarterback
The Denver Broncos named rookie Bo Nix as their starting quarterback on Wednesday. The first-round draft pick will become the first rookie signal-caller to start a season opener for Denver since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983. Head coach Sean Payton met with Nix and Jarrett Stidham on Wednesday morning before announcing his decision in a team meeting. Zach Wilson is also on the roster, acquired from the New York Jets in an April trade. "The larger body of work," Payton said of what pushed Nix over the competition. "There's certain things right now with Stiddy's experience that you...
Lions star OT Penei Sewell injures foot in practice
Detroit Lions star offensive tackle Penei Sewell left the team's final training camp practice early Wednesday with a foot injury. Multiple reports said Sewell went to the sideline, where trainers removed his sock and shoe to look at the foot. He then went to the locker room under his own power for tests. The Lions, who have aspirations of the Super Bowl after making the NFC Championship Game last season, can ill afford to lose Sewell. The 23-year-old has been a standout for the Lions since they selected him with the No. 7 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He's never missed a game -- starting all 50 games -- and Pro Football Focus rates him as the top offensive tackle in the league. It grades the Lions' offensive line -- also anchored by center Frank Ragnow -- as the league's best. Sewell was named to the Pro Bowl the past two seasons and to the All-Pro first team in 2023. The Lions start the regular season on Sept. 8 against the Los Angeles Rams, welcoming their former quarterback, Matthew Stafford, and his team to the city. --Field Level Media
Titans WR Treylon Burks exits practice with injury
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks left Wednesday's practice early with an apparent injury. Observers said he landed hard after a catch and got up favoring his right hip or lower back before leaving with a trainer. Staying healthy has been an issue for Burks, a 2022 first-round draft pick who appeared in 11 games in each of his first two seasons with the Titans. He has missed time due to concussions and a knee injury. Burks, 24, has 49 catches for 665 yards and one touchdown through 22 games (15 starts). The Titans visit New Orleans for their final preseason game Sunday. They open the regular season at Chicago on Sept. 8. --Field Level Media
Jerod Mayo: Drake Maye '100 percent' ready to lead Patriots
New England Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo isn't ready to name his starting quarterback, but he said Wednesday that he wouldn't hesitate to turn to rookie Drake Maye to run the offense. "One hundred percent, I think he's ready to run a huddle," Mayo told reporters in Foxborough, Mass. Veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett remains listed as No. 1 on the New England depth chart, but Mayo said he will wait until after Sunday night's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders before deciding who will open the season at QB on Sept. 8 at the Cincinnati Bengals. "I would say by...
Bengals DE Myles Murphy (knee) to miss time
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy avoided a serious injury but will be sidelined a few weeks with a sprained knee, multiple outlets reported Wednesday. The second-year player could make it back in time for the season opener against New England on Sept. 8. Murphy sustained the injury during Tuesday's joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts on a non-contact play. The 2023 first-round pick recorded three sacks and 20 tackles in 17 games (no starts) last season as a rookie. --Field Level Media
Syndication: The Enquirer
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (99) is assisted by the training staff after going down with an injury during a preseason joint practice at the Paycor Stadium practice facility in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.
5-star freshman Dylan Raiola to start at QB for Nebraska
As expected, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule named freshman Dylan Raiola the starting quarterback for the Cornhuskers' season opener against UTEP on Aug. 31. The last -- and only -- true freshman to start at quarterback for Nebraska was Adrian Martinez in 2018. Raiola will be the fourth true freshman in Huskers history to start any game at quarterback, joining Martinez, Tommie Frazier (seven starts in 1992) and Cody Green (two starts in 2009). Speaking earlier this week on "The Jim Rome Show," Rhule said Raiola, 19, is the whole package. "He has tremendous arm talent. He's big. He's physical," Rhule...
Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle practices; Tyreek Hill (thumb) misses drills with Bucs
Tyreek Hill's thumb injury is minor, and the Miami Dolphins would like to keep it that way. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he will hold the All-Pro wide receiver out of team drills in this week's joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fearing he could "put him at risk of further injury." "From a medical standpoint, you're just trying to let something cool down so you don't have something happen at the expense of regular-season games," McDaniel said Wednesday. "So he's been very active but we're trying to make sure ... we keep him out of harm's way."...
Cardinals sign C Hjalte Froholdt to 2-year extension
The Arizona Cardinals announced a two-year extension with center Hjalte Froholdt on Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed for the deal that runs through 2026, but NFL Network put the value at $12 million with $8 million guaranteed. Froholdt, who turned 28 on Tuesday, started all 17 games and played 99 percent of the offensive snaps in his first season with the Cardinals in 2023. Born in Denmark, Froholdt was drafted by New England in the fourth round in 2019 out of Arkansas. He played in eight games for the Patriots in 2020 and 23 games (six starts) with the Cleveland Browns from 2021-22 before joining the Cardinals. --Field Level Media
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