Week 12 of the NFL season got started Thursday night with a bang, but we’ll have to wait until Sunday for the rest of the action. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the top stories coming out of the NFL during the week.
Suspension Upheld
The NFL’s indefinite suspension of Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was upheld on appeal this week. That guarantees that he will sit out for the rest of the 2019 season without pay.
During his appeal, Garrett claimed that Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph used a racial slur during last Thursday’s game that caused him to lash out violently. However, Rudolph denied that claim, and there has been no evidence to back it up.
The Browns continue to stand by Garrett, who will need to meet with the commissioner’s office before he’s reinstated sometime after the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey had his suspension reduced from three games to two on appeal, while Cleveland’s Larry Ogunjobi had his single-game suspension upheld.
You’re Done
Dolphins running back Mark Walton was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly pushing a pregnant woman into a wall and punching her. Miami was quick to waive him soon after finding out about the arrest.
Walton was in the middle of serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s conduct and substance abuse policy. He was arrested three times between January and March while a member of the Bengals, who released him because of his continued legal trouble.
He’s Our Guy
This has been a rough season for Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, but head coach Matt Nagy has made it clear that Trubisky is still the team’s starting quarterback. Whether Trubisky plays this week is uncertain after he suffered a hip pointer during last week’s loss to the Rams.
Trubisky says he’s feeling better, and he is considered day-to-day, but according to Nagy, if Trubisky is healthy, he’ll be starting.
Holding Out Hope
The Lions will be without Matthew Stafford for a third straight week when Detroit visits Washington on Sunday. However, Stafford is planning on being back at some point this season and hasn’t discussed the possibility of going on injured reserve.
He was a surprise omission from the starting lineup a couple of weeks ago because of multiple fractures in his back. Even with the Lions barely in the playoff picture at 3-6-1, Stafford says he’s planning to return to the field this season if he’s medically cleared.
No Tests, Please
Jets running back Le’Veon Bell lashed out against the NFL’s drug-testing policy this week on Twitter, claiming that he’s been “randomly” tested for HGH five times in a 10-week period. He went on to say that he won’t be taking another blood test with “dirty ass needles.”
Bell’s message was no different when speaking with reporters. According to league rules, Bell or any other player could be tested up to six times in a calendar year and could be suspended for refusing. He then clarified that he’s fine with urine tests but not blood tests.
Of course, Bell was suspended in 2014 for two games after being charged with a DUI and marijuana possession. He then served a four-game suspension in 2016 after missing a drug test.
