GIANTS
Brown on exempt list
LONDON — The NFL placed Josh Brown on paid leave Friday hours after Coach Ben McAdoo struggled to answer questions about how the New York Giants might discipline the kicker for abusing his wife.
In a letter to the 14-year veteran, NFL senior vice president of labor policy Adolpho Birch said Brown was being placed on the league’s “exempt list” while the league investigates whether he should be suspended as punishment for several alleged acts of spousal abuse. Birch said the move “does not represent a finding that you have violated the personal conduct policy,” but does pave the way toward potential further sanctions.
Being placed on Commissioner Roger Goodell’s “exempt” list means Brown cannot attend practices or Giants games but can go to Giants headquarters for meetings and workouts. It also means Brown continues to be paid and his presence won’t be counted on the Giants’ 53-man roster. Brown could appeal the decision.
“The NFL has the ability to place a player on the exempt list and the player has the right to appeal that decision, if he chooses,” the NFL Players Association said in a statement. “The League office wanted unilateral control of this process and accordingly, their system lacks transparency.”
The action on Brown came hours after McAdoo had trouble explaining the Giants’ intentions toward Brown, their kicker since 2013. The questions about how much the Giants knew about Brown’s off-field troubles have overshadowed preparations for Sunday’s game in London against the Los Angeles Rams.
Brown did not travel to London after Wednesday’s release of police records, which contained the player’s written admissions that he physically abused his wife, Molly, over a protracted period. She told police in the documents released by the King County sheriff’s office in Washington state that the abuse and other threatening behavior stretched from 2009, when she was pregnant with their daughter, to the Pro Bowl in January 2016.
NFL
Beckham, others fined
NEW YORK — New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been fined $24,309 by the NFL for taking off his helmet during a touchdown celebration Sunday against Baltimore.
After scoring the go-ahead 66-yard touchdown with 1:24 left in the Giants’ 27-23 victory, Beckham drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when he removed his helmet while in the back of the end zone. He then ran toward the sideline, tossed his helmet and kept celebrating.
Detroit safety Glover Quin was also fined $24,309 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Los Angeles wide receiver Tavon Austin.
Washington tight end Vernon Davis drew a $12,154 fine for taking a jumpshot with the football at the crossbar as if it were a basketball after a touchdown.
BILLS
McCoy questionable
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills running back LeSean Mc-Coy is questionable and will be a game-time decision for Buffalo’s upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins.
McCoy returned to practice on a limited basis Friday after sitting out Thursday. He revealed he suffered the injury in Buffalo’s Wednesday practice session at the start of individual drills.
“We’re confident in the guys that we have behind him but not ruling Shady out at all,” Bills Coach Rex Ryan said. “He looked pretty good. So we’ll be smart with him, but he looked pretty good.”
McCoy has been the driving force behind the Bills offense this year and has gotten off to a hot start. The Bills (4-2) lead the league in rushing and McCoy is second in the NFL with 587 yards, behind only Dallas rookie Ezekiel Elliott.
McCoy said the injury is to his left hamstring, the same hamstring he injured last season. McCoy injured his hamstring last year during training camp and was hampered throughout the first half of the season, missing two games.
McCoy stressed that his current injury is not nearly as bad as his hamstring injury from a year ago.
“It’s not as bad, really it’s not as bad at all, so that’s a good thing,” McCoy said.
If McCoy is unable to play, he likely will be replaced by backup Mike Gillislee. Gillislee had a 44-yard touchdown late in Buffalo’s Week 6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Buffalo also has veteran Reggie Bush and rookie Jonathan Williams (Arkansas Razorbacks) at running back.
The Dolphins (2-4) have the 31stranked run defense in the NFL.
REDSKINS
Doctson on IR
ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Redskins are putting first-round draft pick wide receiver Josh Doctson on injured reserve with an injured left Achilles tendon.
Coach Jay Gruden announced the move Friday.
Doctson has missed the past four games for Washington (4-2) after making just one catch in each of the team’s first two games. He was the 22nd overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft but has been troubled by the Achilles tendon problem since rookie minicamp in May. Doctson did not play in the preseason.
Gruden also said tight end Jordan Reed will miss Sunday’s game at Detroit with a concussion. Reed also sat out last week’s victory over Philadelphia.
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson, whose left shoulder has been bothering him, practiced Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday and was listed as questionable against Detroit.
49ERS
RB Hyde out
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde will miss Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay with a shoulder injury.
Hyde hurt his shoulder last week in Buffalo and was listed Friday as out for the game. Mike Davis and Shaun Draughn will pick up most of the rushing load for the Niners (1-5). Hyde leads the team with 429 yards rushing and six touchdowns.
San Francisco also listed receiver Torrey Smith (back), defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey (knee) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (concussion) as questionable.
DOLPHINS
Jordan eyes return
DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan has yet to practice this year and hasn’t played in a game since 2014, but he still hopes to return this season from knee surgery.
Jordan, the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2013, received conditional reinstatement from the NFL in July following a 15-month suspension for his latest violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. He has since been rehabilitating from surgery with the goal of getting into some games in 2016.
Jordan has occasionally rehabilitated on the field during practice, and he is allowed to travel with the team.