COWBOYS
McClain suspended again
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain has been suspended indefinitely, the NFL announced Friday.
The Cowboys sent out a statement from an NFL spokesman that read: "Rolando McClain of the Dallas Cowboys has been suspended indefinitely without pay for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse."
McClain missed a test, which is considered a positive test by the NFL, and had appealed it. The league's announcement means the appeal process has been completed.
After the Baltimore game last month when the news initially broke of the additional suspension, owner Jerry Jones said the team would not release McClain in an attempt to recoup the signing bonus. They re-signed McClain to a one-year, $4 million contract, including a $750,000 signing bonus, on March 9. The league first suspended McClain on June 30 for testing positive for opiates.
"I can't talk about anything because I'm not allowed to know anything about his testing, and so that's all I can say there, and we won't release him, and when he's eligible he'll be a part of this team," Jones said after the Baltimore game. "He had gotten in good shape, and so we'll just deal with what we find out with his status with the league."
The thought has been all along that McClain would not play for the Cowboys this season and that is career may be over.
McClain, 27, missed the majority of the offseason program before showing up for minicamp out of shape. He didn't take part in any drills, and was then handed the suspension in June.
McClain didn't report to training camp and was placed on the reserve/did not report list. Per the collective bargaining agreement, McClain was subject to daily fines of $40,000.
He also was fined an additional game check of $73,529 for missing the first preseason game.
Per the collective bargaining agreement, McClain could be working with the team in the weight room and participating in meetings during his suspension, but didn't. He also never was issued a locker at The Star.
McClain ranked third in tackles with 97 in 11 games with the Cowboys last season. He had 108 tackles in 13 games in 2014.
BRONCOS
QB Siemian out
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos ruled out Trevor Siemian for Sunday's game at Jacksonville, meaning rookie Paxton Lynch will make his second start.
Siemian had hoped to return to practice Friday but the training staff put him right back in his walking boot and informed Coach Gary Kubiak the second-year pro was a no-go against the Jaguars (2-9).
Lynch lost to Atlanta in Week 5.
The Broncos (7-4) are scrambling for a playoff spot after their loss to Kansas City in which Siemian threw for a career-best 368 yards with three TDs and no interceptions but was sacked five times.
The Broncos also promoted speedy punt returner Kalif Raymond from the practice squad with rookie fullback Andy Janovich going on injured reserve following ankle surgery.
BROWNS
Manziel charge dropped
Prosecutors in Dallas have agreed to drop a misdemeanor domestic violence charge against former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel over a January incident involving his former girlfriend, assuming he undergoes treatment or counseling over the course of the next year.
The Dallas County district attorney's office announced the deal on Friday after prosecutors filed it with the court. Manziel was not present.
Manziel was charged with the misdemeanor after ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley accused him of kidnapping, beating and threatening to kill her during a night out, claiming the abuse ruptured her eardrum and left her deaf in one ear.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the judge in the case still has to sign off on the agreement and it will be Manziel's responsibility to find the counseling or treatment. Such deals hardly are unusual in Dallas misdemeanor cases.
"It is common for it to be offered and it is common for it to be accepted," Jerry Varney, one of the prosecutors on the case, told the newspaper. "This is not something new and novel."
Manziel recently was sued by a bar employee in Austin who claims that the former Heisman Trophy winner punched him during a September incident, breaking his nose. Police in Austin are investigating the incident, and the prosecutors in the Dallas domestic violence case said they will keep tabs on it.
RAIDERS
QB Carr good to go
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Raiders quarterback Derek Carr practiced without a glove on his right hand Friday for the second consecutive day and is good to go for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.
Cornerback David Amerson is also ready to make his return after missing last week's game with a knee injury.
But the news isn't all good as cornerback DJ Hayden will be placed on injured reserve with a "substantial" hamstring injury and three other regular members of the defense are out, leaving Oakland (9-2) particularly thin up front.
Defensive tackles Stacy McGee and Darius Latham are both out after missing the entire week of practice with ankle injuries. McGee has started all nine games this season in which he's played, but missed the games against Tampa Bay and Denver with an earlier ankle injury. Latham, a regular rotational player on the line, was seen in the locker room with a walking boot and using a cane earlier this week.
The loss of Hayden, who Raiders Coach Jack Del Rio said will land on IR no later than today, leaves the Raiders without their primary slot corner and top backup. TJ Carrie will likely assume that role against the Bills.
Outside linebacker Shilique Calhoun will also miss his second consecutive game after having a minor knee procedure last week. He's not expected to miss an extended period.
Sports on 12/03/2016