No one knows how bad the injury is yet, but it’ll be a scary night for the Buffalo Bills as running back LeSean McCoy left practice Tuesday with an injury to his left leg. McCoy reportedly clutched his left hamstring. According to the NFL’s twitter feed, he’s on his way to get an MRI.
LeSean McCoy leaves Bills practice with hamstring injury. Going for an MRI. (via @buffalobills) pic.twitter.com/TKEUjJRHYW
— NFL (@NFL) August 18, 2015
The Bills acquired McCoy through a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. The Bills sent linebacker Kiko Alonso to the Eagles to rejoin his old Oregon coach Chip Kelly.
Last year McCoy rushed for 1,319 yards and five touchdowns. McCoy has four 1,000-yard plus seasons in his six-year career.
Vikings Loadholt goes on injured reserve
Rookie steal T.J. Clemmings will get more playing time and a chance to break into the starting line up for the Minnesota Vikings after right tackle Phil Loadholt was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Loadholt tore his left achilles tendon Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Loadholt was the primary back up on the right side to starter Mike Harris.
49ers’ Simpson suspended for six games
Jerome Simpson has made some spectacular plays on the field in his short career and some spectacularly stupid things off it. Simpson has been suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Last year, as a Viking, Simpson had to sit out three games for the same reasons. Another suspension will likely cost Simpson a year.
Jerome Simpson's total career touchdowns: 8. Jerome Simpson's total career suspensions: 12 games.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 18, 2015
49ers GM Trent Baalke knew Simpson would probably be suspended when he signed him this offseason. So chuck another radial on the 49ers’ tire fire over that one.
“Since joining the 49ers, Jerome has proven to be a great teammate,” Baalke said in a statement. “Although he will not be able to participate in the first six weeks of the season, Jerome has done everything asked of him, both on and off the field. We are in full support of the NFL’s decision, and look forward to Jerome’s future contributions to our organization.”
Patriots trade Jordan Devey to 49ers for tight end
You’d think the New England Patriots would be more interested in acquiring offensive linemen after starting two rookies in last Thursday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, but evidently they feel they need another tight end and it just so happened that the 49ers had one to spare.
#49ers announce OL Jordan Devey and TE Asante Cleveland must both pass physicals for the trade with #Patriots to become official.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 18, 2015
The Patriots send second-year offensive tackle Jordan Devey out of Memphis to San Francisco in exchange for second-year tight end Asante Cleveland out of the University of Miami. Cleveland appeared in six regular season games last season and did not record a catch. Devey saw action in seven games for the Patriots.
Both players were signed as undrafted free agents in 2014.
Nate Boyer’s NFL dream probably ends
One of the feel good stories of the NFL preseason feels significantly less good as long snapper and former U.S. Army green beret Nate Boyer was cut by the Seattle Seahawks to make room on the roster for another player.
Huge props to @NateBoyer37 for inspiring many! I'll be rooting for you no matter what team you play on! pic.twitter.com/vLDfxFf71s
— Steve Migs (@ImSteveMigs) August 18, 2015
Boyer, who served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, can probably deal with being cut from a football team. The 29-year-old special teamer was a walk-on at Texas after teaching himself to long snap while deployed.
Other news
Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams will be out multiple weeks with an undisclosed injury. It’s been a rough training camp for Bills running backs. In addition to the McCoy and Williams injuries, Fred Jackson is dealing with a hamstring problem of his own.
The St. Louis Rams got some bad news over the weekend when they learned that cornerback E.J. Gaines will have to miss the entire season with a Lisfranc foot injury. He has already undergone surgery to repair it. Gaines and Trumaine Johnson were in a battle for a starting corner spot this season. Gaines was a member of the PFWA All-Rookie team last year with 70 tackles, 15 passes defended and two picks.
Tampa Bay continues to improve its offensive line, this time by adding former Indianapolis Colt Gosder Cherilus to the roster on a two-year deal. The Bucs needed Cherilus after finding out starting right tackle Demar Dotson could miss six weeks with an MCL sprain.
