Morris Claiborne done with patellar tendon tear, 49ers locker room reportedly wants Jim Harbaugh out
Meanwhile, tension grows in Pittsburgh amid criticism for lack of discipline.
USA TODAY Sports
During a Sunday Night Football matchup with the Saints, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne fell during a non-contact play midway through the first quarter, requiring assistance to get off the field. After the game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed concern that Claiborne had torn his ACL but would wait until the MRI confirmation Monday to say anything further.
As it turns out, the MRI did not reveal an ACL injury but rather a torn patellar tendon that will end Claiborne’s season.
While Claiborne has not played up to his status as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft, his absence stresses an already thin Dallas defense that has allowed 86 points through four weeks. In his absence, the Cowboys will give additional playing time to cornerback Sterling Moore.
Reports surfacing that Jim Harbaugh has lost 49ers locker room
Several prominent NFL insiders have reported in the past 24 hours that San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has lost support from his locker room. The rumors have surfaced following the team's 26-21 come-from-behind victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Prior to the game, the 49ers had dropped their last two contests by a combined score of 51-34.
This isn't the first time Harbaugh's departure has been discussed. This past offseason, several media outlets reported that the Cleveland Browns nearly pulled the trigger on a deal involving draft picks for the embattled San Francisco coach. Harbaugh denied those reports, but the Browns notably declined to say no trade was discussed.
Colts release Da'Rick Rogers for conduct detrimental to the team
Early Monday morning, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers was pulled over and arrested for DUI near IUPUI’s campus. The wideout reportedly had a blood alcohol level between .08 percent and .15 percent. Rogers hasn’t played yet in 2014, but was on the Colts’ 53-man roster. The team acted quickly, releasing him for conduct detrimental to the team.
Rogers was in his second year with the Colts. Despite his physical talents, the receiver entered the league as an undrafted free agent because of substance abuse issues that landed him in hot water at Tennessee. Rogers would finish his career at FCS Tennessee Tech.
Zach Miller expected to miss only two games
The foot issues that hampered Zach Miller last season have returned, forcing the Seattle Seahawks tight end to undergo ankle surgery this past week during the team's Week 4 bye. Miller had been a limited factor in the passing game, catching only six passes for 76 yards through the first three games.
The good news for Seattle is the tight end is only expected to miss two games recovering from the procedure. If that timetable holds, Miller could be back in uniform for the Seahawks' trip to the Edward Jones Dome to take on the St. Louis Rams. In the interim, Luke Willson will handle the starting tight end responsibilities.
Steelers lack discipline
The Pittsburgh Steelers led the entire second half of their 27-24 defeat against Tampa Bay save for the final seven seconds, when the Pittsburgh defense gave up a morale-shattering touchdown pass to Mike Glennon. On the play, former All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu was standing out of position, watching as Glennon's pass soared into the arms of a wide-open Vincent Jackson in the end zone.
After the implosion, multiple Steelers columnists provided their own take on the team’s perceived lack of discipline and what it says about head coach Mike Tomlin.
To his credit, Tomlin accepted responsibility for the final defensive stand, saying, “The bottom line is that we’re an undisciplined group. We’re too highly penalized. Obviously, we’re not coaching it. We’re allowing it to happen. So I take responsibility for that.” Still, if Pittsburgh allows more games like this to slip away, no amount of candor will save his job.
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