21 October 2011

Lions' Jerome Harrison said to have brain tumor

The tumor is discovered when the Detroit running back undergoes a physical after being traded to Philadelphia. The trade is voided, but Harrison is said to be undergoing treatment.

ESPN reported that Detroit Lions running back Jerome Harrison has a brain tumor.

The network cited two NFL sources it did not identify in its report Thursday. It said the tumor was revealed when Harrison had a physical after being dealt this week by Detroit to the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade that was voided by the discovery. ESPN reported that the discovery might have saved Harrison's life and that he was being treated.

Lions Coach Jim Schwartz wouldn't confirm or deny the report, citing a privacy issue. He said Harrison was back on the team's 53-man roster.

The Lions wanted to trade Harrison to Philadelphia for Ronnie Brown and a draft pick. Detroit needs help because Jahvid Best suffered his third concussion on Sunday.

The Lions are expected to rotate Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams along with return specialist Stefan Logan in the backfield against Atlanta on Sunday at home.

Rex Ryan says he didn't mean to snub Norv Turner

New York Jets Coach Rex Ryan said he knew he messed up Wednesday as soon as he said, "I would have had a couple of rings" if the San Diego Chargers had hired him as coach in 2007. The comments were taken as a slight at Chargers Coach Norv Turner, who was hired instead and hasn't won a Super Bowl in San Diego.

Turner immediately received an apologetic phone call from Ryan.

"It was me, it's all on me," Ryan said Thursday. "I'm guilty. Absolutely. I did call Norv. I won't get into that conversation, but it was unintentional."

Ryan, who made the comments during a conference call with Chargers reporters, insisted he didn't intentionally diss Turner, but rather was trying to compliment the job the Chargers have done in building a consistent winner.

Turner got in a little jab of his own Wednesday when asked about Ryan's comments.

"I didn't have a chance to ask him this," Turner said, "but I was wondering if he had those rings with the ones he's guaranteed the last couple of years."

Tomlinson will start against Chargers

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson will get his first start of the season Sunday when the Jets face his former team, the Chargers.

Tomlinson usually is a backup to Shonn Greene, but Ryan said he will give the 11-year veteran the start. It's the first time Tomlinson will face the Chargers since leaving San Diego after the 2009 season when it was clear he would have a reduced role. The Chargers are the only NFL team against which Tomlinson has not scored a touchdown.

Etc.

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, who leads the team in receiving, sat out practice Thursday because of a sore right ankle. Graham has 39 catches for 620 yards and three touchdowns, and last week became only the second tight end to have four straight games in the same season with 100 yards or more receiving, matching the feat accomplished by Tony Gonzalez in 2000. Graham practiced Wednesday, but he experienced ankle soreness afterward and was given Thursday to rest. … New Orleans Coach Sean Payton, who suffered a broken left leg when he got caught up in a tackle on the sideline Sunday in Tampa Bay, expects to coach from the coaches' booth when the Saints play host to Indianapolis on Sunday night. He had surgery on his broken tibia Monday and monitored practice Thursday from a golf cart. … Charlie Whitehurst has continued to take most of the reps at quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks this week with Tarvaris Jackson recovering from a strained pectoral muscle. … Cleveland Browns starting linebacker Scott Fujita was sent home for a second straight day with post-concussion symptoms. Fujita was injured Sunday against Oakland. Coach Pat Shurmur did not rule Fujita out of this weekend's game against Seattle, but it seems unlikely the 10-year veteran will be cleared to play. … Browns President Mike Holmgren said contract negotiations with running back Peyton Hillis are "quiet now," but the team remains open to signing him to a long-term extension. … Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, requires an extensive facelift expected to cost tens of millions in taxpayer dollars for a project that would be tied to the Bills renewing their lease with state and county governments within two years, the Associated Press reported. Bills Chief Executive Russ Brandon told the AP that the team has hired the architectural firm Populous, which specializes in sports facility projects, to conduct a thorough study of what improvements are necessary to both upgrade the stadium's existing structure and add fan-friendly, revenue-generating enhancements.

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