NFL news roundup: Steve Bisciotti blames OTL report on Ray Rice camp, Jarvis Jones headed to IR

Elsewhere, Jake Locker could miss an undetermined amount of time with a wrist injury.

Sep 22, 2014, 10:55 PM UTC

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Justin K. Aller

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti disputes ESPN OTL report on team's handling of Ray Rice

In the latest chapter of the assault case for former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, team owner Steve Bisciotti met with the media to discuss ESPN’s Outside the Lines report last week that accused the Ravens of a massive cover-up campaign to keep Rice eligible for most of the season. Bisciotti couched most of OTL’s allegations by claiming ESPN’s sources were influenced by Rice’s camp as part of a reinstatement effort.

Bisciotti expressed satisfaction with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s handling of the case while also stating that he understands the Ravens dropped the ball with their own investigation of the assault. However, he didn’t back away from Rice the person, stating that Rice would make a great addition to their organization some day. Bisciotti also added that no one would be losing their job over the issue.

Dennis Pitta undergoes season-ending hip surgery

After missing most of last season with a right hip injury, Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta will miss the rest of 2014 following surgery to repair another injury to that same hip. Pitta had to be carted off Sunday after losing his balance and falling to the ground without being contacted.

When Baltimore won the Super Bowl in 2012, Pitta served as quarterback Joe Flacco’s safety blanket, working short and intermediate routes over the middle on critical passing downs. Without him for all but a handful of games last season, the Ravens’ offense never fully got off the ground, and the team failed to qualify for the postseason. Despite the earlier injury, the tight end was off to a solid start, catching 13 balls for 113 yards during the Ravens’ first two games.

With Pitta gone for the rest of the year and perhaps longer, Baltimore will turn to Owen Daniels. While not as prolific at this stage of his career, Daniels has already proven himself as a reliable target for Flacco. In a secondary role, the former Texans tight end collected 10 catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the first three weeks.

Jarvis Jones' second year cut short by wrist injury

Many believed Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones was about to break out in 2014, his second year in Dick LeBeau's defense. However, the Georgia product will instead spend at least the next eight weeks on the injured reserve due to a wrist injury suffered during Sunday night's game against the Panthers.

Jones was initially listed as questionable to return at the time of the injury, but his status was quickly downgraded once the medical staff took a closer look at the severity. It was reported after the game that Jones had his wrist wrapped with a plastic guard, though he noted at the time that he didn’t expect to miss any time. Obviously, that’s no longer the case.

Because the Steelers placed Jones on short-term IR, he'll be eligible to return after eight weeks. That means that he could return to the lineup when Pittsburgh hosts the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 30.

Jake Locker could miss time with wrist injury

One of the biggest concerns with Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker is his ability to stay healthy. That issue has crept in yet again, with the team reporting that Locker injured his wrist during Sunday's 33-7 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The severity of Locker's injury isn't clear at this time. Unlike the aforementioned Jarvis Jones, it doesn't seem as though the team has plans to place the quarterback on injured reserve. Still, Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean reports that Locker "could hardly grip the ball at the end of the game." That would suggest that he'll be out for at least Week 4 when the Titans travel to Indianapolis to take on the AFC South rival Colts.

Assuming Locker can't suit up on Sunday, the Titans will turn to Charlie Whitehurst at quarterback. Whitehurst was a favorite of head coach Ken Whisenhunt in San Diego and was brought along when Tennessee hired him this offseason.