League cancels Pro Bowl in Las Vegas due to COVID-19 pandemic
NEWYORK» The NFL has canceled next January’s Pro Bowl scheduled for Las Vegas.
During an owners meeting held virtually on Wednesday, the league opted to call off the all-star game, hoping to replace it with a variety of virtual activities. The NFL needs flexibility in January in case it needs to move regular-season games to that month because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The league will work closely with the NFLPA and other partners, to create a variety of engaging activities to replace the Pro Bowl game this season,” the NFL said in a statement.
The Pro Bowl, set for Jan. 31, a week before the Super Bowl, has lost much of its attractiveness in recent years.
Gase says it was ‘best that we part ways’ with Bell
NEW YORK » The New York Jets’ decision to move on from Le’Veon Bell was a stunner. For a while now, though, it appeared inevitable.
The star running back never seemed to truly mesh with Adam Gase or his offense during the past season-plus. And Bell made it clear he wasn’t thrilled with his role.
So, his sudden release Tuesday wasn’t completely a surprise — although the timing was. Rather than the Jets waiting to try to trade him at the deadline in three weeks, they instead decided to cut ties now with a player for whom there were such high hopes.
“That was kind of the consensus we came to last night,” Gase said Wednesday. “Spoke with him and for us, we just felt like it was best that we part ways.”
Jets’ Flacco to start again
NEW YORK » Joe Flacco will get his second straight start at quarterback for the Jets in place of the injured Sam Darnold.
Coach Adam Gase confirmed that Flacco, 35, would be under center Sunday at Miami. That comes after Darnold missed last week’s game against Arizona with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.
Broncos’ Gordon III cited for DUI
ENGLEWOOD, COLO. » Running back Melvin Gordon III wasn’t on hand for quarterback Drew Lock’s first full practice since injuring his right shoulder.
The Broncos sent their leading rusher home after learning he was cited by Denver police for driving under the influence and speeding Tuesday night.
According to police records, Gordon was cited for driving under the influence and traveling between 25 and 39 mph faster than the posted speed limit when he was pulled over in downtown Denver.
Panthers lose Short to injury
CHARLOTTE, N.C. » The Panthers have lost two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short to a shoulder injury for the second straight season, and 2019 All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is not quite ready to return to action either.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said the 6-foot- 315-pound Short will need seasonending surgery on his right shoulder, but wouldn’t get into the specifics of the injury.
Cards LB Jones out for season
TEMPE, ARIZ. » The Arizona Cardinals expected the news but it still wasn’t fun to hear: All-Pro linebacker Chandler Jones is out for the season because of a biceps injury that requires surgery.
An MRI earlier this week confirmed the extent of the injury, which happened during the first half of Arizona’s 30-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, and coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that Jones has elected to have the season-ending surgery. The recovery time is expected to be three to four months.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Jones has been one of the league’s premier pass rushers since coming to Arizona, with 61 sacks over the past 4½ seasons.