Week 13 is kicking off tonight as the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins meet in a great NFC East rivalry on Thursday Night Football. The season is coming to an end and I thought the suspension drama came to an end also after Ezekiel Elliott decided to serve his six-game suspension. However, there is a new suspension rumor starting to surface about Jameis Winston and a situation with an Uber driver. We have that story and much more on today's NFL news and rumors roundup.
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Jameis Winston Comments on Possible Suspension
On Thursday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback spoke publicly about the allegations that he groped a female Uber driver. Winston said that he "absolutely" believes he will be proven innocent in the NFL's investigation and has no fear of suspension.
"I have no fear at all, but I have to respect their process," Winston said. "I'm just going to respect the process, most importantly. That's all I can do."
On the night that the incident occurred in Scottsdale, Arizona, ESPN confirmed that no police report had been filed.
Winston was previously accused of raping a female student, Erica Kinsman, while both were at Florida State in 2012, and while criminal charges were never brought against him (the state attorney’s office said there wasn't enough evidence against Winston, pointing to gaps in Kinsman's story), they settled a civil lawsuit in Dec. 2016.
On the field, Winston has struggled for the Bucs this year, passing for 1,920 yards with 10 touchdowns, six interceptions, and five fumbles.
Dirk Koetter Is Starting Winston
The Buccaneers have battled injuries this entire year on offense and defense, and the good news is they are expected to get Winston back after he missed the last three games with a right shoulder injury.
Head coach Dirk Koetter was asked on Wednesday about the idea of sitting Winston because of the injuries along the offensive line, which he doesn't plan to do.
“It’s a league where if you are healthy, you will play. It’s all around the league,” Koetter said, via ESPN.com. “The risk factor — that’s there every week at every position. When your medical staff clears any player for any injury to play, they are not going to clear him [if he isn’t healthy]. The player’s health is always the No. 1 thing for every football team. If a player is at no more risk than what the normal risk is — and in the NFL, that’s substantial — then they are going to play. That is what they’re paid to do.”
Even though this is a lost season for the Buccaneers, Koetter is 100 percent accurate in saying "if you're healthy, you will play." Winston was drafted No. 1 overall three years ago to be the face of a franchise, and it wouldn't make sense to not play him if he is healthy enough to play.
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Jabrill Peppers Appealing Fine
This past Sunday, Cleveland Browns rookie Jabrill Peppers was penalized for a hard hit on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Josh Malone. Peppers said, via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, that he was fined $24K for the hit.
Browns Jabrill Peppers said he was fined $24,000 for hitting Malone, a defenseless receiver, vs. #Bengals. He said he will appeal. He’s not happy about it
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 30, 2017
Peppers has stated that he plans to appeal the fine. Here's the hit in question:
Jabrill Peppers hits him a little lower there it's a clean hit, bengals forced to punt.. but ofc it was a flag pic.twitter.com/KOxHpHnvm5
— Richard (@RichardLopez67) November 27, 2017
If you like NFL news and fantasy football rumors, Tom Downey and Mitchell Renz talk rumors and much more on The Fantasy Football Rumors Podcast.
Mitchell Renz is the Senior Writer & On-Air Host at Chat Sports check out his article archive and live videos on Chat Sports Facebook page. Please follow him on Twitter @MitchellRenz365.
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