Oakland receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver cornerback Aqib Talib had their two-game suspensions reduced to one game after appeal hearings on Tuesday.
Derrick Brooks heard Crabtree’s case and James Thrash heard Talib’s appeal, and both decided to reduce the two-game bans issued Monday by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan.
The fight during Oakland’s 21-14 win on Sunday was a continuation of a dispute that started last season when Talib ripped Crabtree’s chain off during the season finale. Crabtree missed the first game between the teams this year but didn’t wait long to seek revenge.
Crabtree punched Denver cornerback Chris Harris Jr. while blocking him on the first play of Oakland’s second drive. He then aggressively blocked Talib on a running play and drove him to the ground on the Broncos’ sideline on the following play, starting the brawl.
Talib once again ripped Crabtree’s chain off his neck. He also took Crabtree’s helmet off and threw it, as well as exchanging punches with Crabtree.
Jimmy Garoppolo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers are ready for the start of the Jimmy Garoppolo era after announcing Tuesday that the franchise’s quarterback of the future will make his first start for the team this week.
Coach Kyle Shanahan met with Garoppolo and former starter C.J. Beathard to inform them that Garoppolo will make his first start for San Francisco (1-10) on Sunday at Chicago (3-8).
The Niners acquired Garoppolo on Oct. 31 from New England for a 2018 second round pick to be the franchise’s long-term quarterback even though he had made only two starts in three-plus seasons for the Patriots.
After taking time to learn the new offense, Garoppolo made his San Francisco debut in Sunday’s 24-13 loss to Seattle after starter Beathard left with injuries to his hip and knee with just over a minute left.
Garoppolo completed both passes, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy. Now he will get an even bigger opportunity to show what he can do for his new team.
Bills defense
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — One moment, Leslie Frazier expressed relief at how the Buffalo Bills were finally able to plug various holes on a leaky defense.
“I’m really proud of the way our guys competed,” the defensive coordinator said Monday, referring to Buffalo’s 16-10 win at Kansas City a day earlier. “As a staff, we could see we were beginning to flip the switch. And then yesterday kind of validates that.”
Gordon return
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Josh Gordon’s imminent return has the Browns buzzing.
Suddenly, there’s a ray of hope in this dreary, dismal season.
With Gordon eligible to play on Sunday in Los Angeles for the first time in the regular season since 2014, coach Hue Jackson can barely contain his excitement in having the wide receiver back.
“My plans for him?” Jackson said Monday. “Oh boy, let me tell you, I have big plans for him.”
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