JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Urban Meyer’s tumultuous NFL tenure has ended after just 13 games — and two victories — when the Jacksonville Jaguars fired him early Thursday because of an accumulation of missteps.
Owner Shad Khan made the move hours after ex-Jaguars player Josh Lambo told a Florida newspaper Meyer kicked him during practice in August. It was the latest embarrassment for the three-time national championship-winning college coach who failed miserably to make the transition to the NFL.
Meyer joins Lou Holtz and Bobby Petrino as college coaches whose NFL careers flamed out in stunningly swift fashion.
In other NFL news:
— The Cleveland Browns’ growing COVID-19 concerns now include quarterback Baker Mayfield and head coach Kevin Stefanski. Both have tested positive and will likely miss Saturday’s game against the Raiders. Stefanski’s positive test was announced Wednesday by the team, which then put Mayfield, safety John Johnson III, nickel back Troy Hill, defensive tackle Malik McDowell and defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry was among eight players put on the list on Tuesday. As of now, the NFL said there are no discussions to move Saturday’s game.
— The league’s chief medical officer says the new coronavirus variant has been found among the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases within the league. Dr. Allen Sills said owners were told in meetings Wednesday that booster shots are the focus of efforts to minimize spread. Sills said the omicron variant is expected to become the dominant strain in the U.S.
— The Chiefs have added linebacker Willie Gay Jr. to the COVID-19 list, one day before they play the Chargers. The Chiefs placed wide receiver Josh Gordon on the list Monday and defensive tackle Chris Jones on it Tuesday. There is an outside chance Gordon or Jones could play if they return two negative tests 24 hours apart.
— Saints coach Sean Payton has missed the first practice of the week but the club says he tested negative for COVID-19. The Saints have not given many details on Payton’s health other than to say he was “under the weather” and working remotely as the club prepares to visit Tampa Bay on Sunday.
— The Rams have 16 players on their reserve/COVID-19 list after adding three more to the group Wednesday. Linebacker Justin Hollins and tight ends Johnny Mundt and Jared Pinkney were added one day after the Rams put nine players on the list following their 30-23 victory at Arizona on Monday night.
— Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said Lamar Jackson would not practice Wednesday, although the star quarterback remains a possibility to play this weekend. Jackson left last weekend’s loss at Cleveland with a sprained ankle. Harbaugh said Jackson is day to day.
— The Titans designated outside linebacker Bud Dupree for return from injured reserve Wednesday. The move opens a 21-day window for the Titans to put Dupree back on their active roster.
— Josh Allen was set to test his sprained left foot on a limited basis during a walk-through practice Wednesday, leaving the Bills quarterback’s status uncertain for their game against the Panthers this weekend. Coach Sean McDermott said the team continues its day-to-day approach regarding Allen’s health and that he is still experiencing soreness.
— The 49ers have declined to activate edge rusher Dee Ford from injured reserve before a Wednesday deadline, sending him home to rest the lingering back injury that has limited him to seven games the past two seasons. Ford was one of the prized acquisitions for the 49ers when they traded a second-round pick to Kansas City to acquire the pass rusher in the 2019 offseason.
— Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is likely to miss his third straight game because of a neck injury. Coach Joe Judge said Wednesday the third-year quarterback still has not been cleared for contact and Mike Glennon will start on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
— Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold has returned to practice, although coach Matt Rhule said Monday that he plans to continue to play Cam Newton and P.J. Walker at quarterback against the Bills on Sunday. Darnold went on injured reserve Nov. 10 with a shoulder injury.
— The NFL has earned higher scores for racial and gender hiring in an annual diversity report, though team-level grades continue to lag behind the league office. Wednesday’s report card from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at Central Florida assigned an overall B grade for the league, with a B-plus for racial hiring and a C-plus for gender hiring.
— Two members of Congress are asking the NFL to provide evidence of Washington Football Team owner Daniel Snyder’s interference with an investigation into sexual harassment and other improper conduct at the club. The latest request follows a report posted on The Washington Post’s website that said potential witnesses viewed actions by people working on Snyder’s behalf as attempts to interfere with the NFL’s investigation.
— The Munich city council has given its backing to a bid to host regular-season NFL games at the home of soccer club Bayern Munich. Three German cities are vying to become the league’s partner.
