Thursday buzz: Giants FB Nikita Whitlock suspended 10 games
Check back throughout Wednesday for the latest quick hits from around the NFL.
Broncos WR Thomas limited
Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas has been hampered by a hip injury and remains limited with a left hip injury.
Thomas said he was progressign but was not 100% on his availability to play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, though he expects to contribute.
“I know what the issue is. We all know what the issue is,” Thomas told reporters Thursday. “But it’s about taking your time and seeing if you’re ready come Sunday.”
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Giants FB suspended 10 games
The NFL announced that New York Giants fullback Nikita Whitlock has been suspended 10 games for a violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Whitlock did not play in New York’s season-opening victory Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys because he is on injured reserve list, but Whitlock will begin serving his suspension immediately.
Whitlock, 25 years old and in his second season, appeared in 14 games last year, starting five, but did not record a rushing attempt or a reception.
New deal for Brockers
The Los Angeles Rams gave defensive tackle Michael Brockers a three-year extension Thursday, locking him up through the 2019 season.
“Retaining Michael was a priority for our organization,” coach Jeff Fisher said in a statement. “Our defensive front has always been important to us, and Michael has been a significant part in what we do on that side of the football since we drafted him. We’re excited that he is going to continue his career with us here in Los Angeles.”
A first-round pick in 2012, Brockers has 14½ career sacks. He had a career-best 74 tackles last year, including 12 for losses.
Arian Foster back at practice
After resting his hamstring Wednesday, Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster returned to practice Thursday.
Foster had 100 yards from scrimmage in his Dolphins debut Sunday.
In three career games against the Patriots (all with the Texans), Foster has scored five TDs and averaged 128 yards from scrimmage.
Ivory rejoins Jags
Chris Ivory has returned to the Jacksonville Jaguars after an unexpected trip to the hospital (for undisclosed reasons) Sunday morning forced the running back to postpone his regular-season debut with the team.
He is not practicing Thursday, per the Florida Times-Union.
"I returned to the stadium this morning to rejoin my coaches and teammates as we continue to prepare for the San Diego Chargers on Sunday," Ivory said in a statement. "This past weekend was a challenging time for my family and me because of an emergency medical condition that developed while I was with my team at the hotel. I am now grateful to be back in the facility and able to refocus on the game that I love.
"I want to extend a special thanks to the Jaguars medical staff, the first responders and everyone at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville for their assistance over the past couple of days.
"I appreciate everyone’s sensitivity during this personal matter, and I’m ready to be back out on the field and look forward to doing so in the near future. Thank you for all for your support. I want you to know that I read each and every message and I’m thankful for them all."
Ivory led the AFC with 1,070 rushing yards in 2015 as a member of the New York Jets. He signed with the Jags during free agency this offseason.
Rawls starting RB vs. Rams
The Thomas Rawls comeback is complete.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Rawls will be the Seahawks’ starting RB on Sunday.
“I think coach is pretty confident with it but I’m fairly confident with it also,’’ Rawls said on Wednesday vis The Seattle Times. “So I’m excited to be out there. Evidently they named me the starter, evidently I’m going to have a huge load this week. So I’m looking forward to it.’’
Rawls suffered a major ankle injury last December against the Ravens and while he returned to the team this season, Christian Michael was the starter in Week 1.
Christine Michael had been the starter, but it was widely assumed the job would go back to Rawls once the team deemed him ready to carry the workload.
