The Dallas Cowboys aren't the only thing that the New York Giants are preparing for this week. The Giants were briefed about the Ebola virus in anticipation of their trip this weekend to Dallas, where there have been three confirmed cases of the deadly disease.
NFL news roundup: Giants educated on Ebola, Jadeveon Clowney nears return
Meanwhile, Joseph Randle fined for shoplifting arrest.
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Giants’ Senior VP of communications, Pat Hanlon, confirmed that the team has not done anything differently due to the Ebola outbreak in the Dallas area, “other than providing background and info on the disease.” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett also said that he has not brought up the Ebola scare during any discussions with his team.
The league is also doing its part to educate players and staff about the deadly virus, distributing a newsletter this week to NFL team physicians and trainers with background information on the Ebola disease and answers to commonly asked questions.
Clowney could return this week
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in the season opener, could return this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Clowney told the media last Friday that he would like to play on Monday Night Football, but head coach Bill O'Brien reiterated on Monday that his return is still a "50/50" possibility.
The No. 1 overall pick injured his knee in Week 1 against Washington and underwent arthroscopic surgery the next day. He was expected to miss 4-6 weeks, and with five weeks passed since the injury, could begin to practice as soon as this week. Whitney Mercilus has started in his place, accumulating 19 tackles in six games this season.
Randle fined for shoplifting
Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle received a hefty fine of $29,117 following his Monday night arrest for shoplifting. The amount of the fine is equal to one week pay on his $495,000 base salary. The discipline does not include a suspension, but Randle will likely perform community service in addition to paying the fine.
According to Frisco, Texas, police, Randle was charged with a misdemeanor for shoplifting cologne and underwear at a suburban mall on Monday night.
Randle rushed for a season-high 52 yards on five carries in Sunday's win over the Seattle Seahawks, and ranks second on the team in rushing yards (113) and attempts (16) behind DeMarco Murray this season.
Willis not expected to be out long-term
The San Francisco 49ers' Patrick Willis hurt his toe in Monday night's win over the St. Louis Rams but is not expected to miss an extended period with the injury. During an appearance on KNBR radio's Murph and Mac show, head coach Jim Harbaugh said his star linebacker does not have the dreaded turf toe ailment, though said more evaluation needs to be done.
Though it appears Willis has avoided a more serious injury, his status for Sunday's game in Denver remains in doubt. If he cannot suit up, rookie linebacker Chris Borland would once again replace him in the middle of the defense. Should that occur, it would mark the first time the 49ers played without either Willis or Novarro since 2009.
Pace says schedule makers 'had it out' for Jets
When the NFL regular season schedule come out during the summer, virtually every team looks at their assignments and concludes that the league set them up to fail. Every schedule contains a rough patch or two, the best teams just deal with them better.
But linebacker Calvin Pace hasn't let that stop him from accusing the league of conspiring against his team, the New York Jets. Pace points to the parade of top-shelf quarterbacks the Jets have faced including Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning, and coming this week Tom Brady along with the timing of the team's Thursday night game as reasons why the schedule isn't fair. To his credit at least, Pace acknowledges that "nobody feels sorry for us."
Lane receives two-game suspension for PEDs
Little has gone well for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. The team's 1-5 start has seen two quarterbacks struggle, multiple injuries at the running back position, and their new head coach already hearing calls for his job. Now they've absorbed another hit, as fullback Jorvorskie Lane has been suspended two games for performance enhancing drugs by the NFL.
Lane has served as a reserve for Tampa this season, playing only 64 snaps through the team's first six games. His biggest game came against New Orleans where he was used on 20 plays. To fill his spot on the roster, the Buccaneers have signed cornerback Isaiah Frey.
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