The Buffalo Bills expect to place James Hardy to their active roster because the second-year receiver has shown he’s recovered 10 months after having left knee surgery.
Barring something unexpected, coach Dick Jauron said Monday he’s leaning toward promoting Hardy, who spent the first six weeks on the physically unable list. The former Elmhurst standout and 2008 second-round draft pick out of Indiana began practicing two weeks ago.
The Bills (3-5) are off this week and have until the start of next week to activate Hardy or place him on season-ending injured reserve.
Promoting Hardy would require the Bills to drop a player, potentially one of the six receivers on their roster.
The Bills are banged-up entering the break after four starters went down during a 31-10 loss to Houston on Sunday.
Rookie safety Jairus Byrd aggravated a groin injury, and traveled to Philadelphia to see a specialist. Right tackle Jamon Meredith is expected to miss a few weeks after spraining his right knee. Meredith was starting in place of Jonathan Scott, who could return next week after missing three games with a sprained ankle. Jauron had no update on the status of defensive end Aaron Schobel (groin) and linebacker Keith Ellison (quadriceps).
Reports: Browns cut ties with GM
Several reports say Cleveland Browns general manager George Kokinis has been fired by the 1-7 team. Citing unnamed league sources, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and WKYC-TV in Cleveland say Kokinis was escorted out of the Browns’ headquarters by security. Team spokesman Neal Gulkis says the team could not confirm the reports. Kokinis was hired in January, just two weeks after the team named Eric Mangini as its fourth coach since 1999.
Around the league
Houston tight end Owen Daniels has a torn knee ligament and will have season-ending surgery to repair the injury. … Kansas City reached a settlement with Larry Johnson and agreed to withhold a week’s pay for making gay slurs. The settlement saved the running back about $315,000. … Commissioner Roger Goodell plans to ask Congress for legislation that would protect collective bargaining agreements from state law challenges, like the one that led to blocking of the suspensions of two players who used banned substances. … Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin hopes to play at Chicago this week despite re-aggravating a right ankle sprain. … San Diego released receiver Chris Chambers. … Left tackle Joe Staley limped through the 49ers locker room with a bulky brace on his sprained right knee. Cornerback Nate Clements cradled his broken right shoulder blade in a sling. Both players are expected to miss at least this Sunday’s home game with Tennessee.
