NFL roundup

BUFFALO BILLS

Do trades signal move to rebuilding mode?

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.

The Buffalo Bills’ offseason overhaul isn’t over yet with receiver Sammy Watkins and cornerback Ronald Darby the latest players to be sent packing.

The Bills dealt both starters in separate blockbuster trades on Friday as part of an effort to reshape the roster under new coach Sean McDermott.

Watkins was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, while Darby was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles. Buffalo addressed both positions by acquiring receiver Jordan Matthews from Philadelphia and cornerback E.J. Gaines from the Rams.

The Bills also continued looking to the future by further stockpiling 2018 draft selections. They acquired a second-round pick from L.A. and a third-rounder from the Eagles, while also sending a sixth-round pick to the Rams. Add in the acquisition of the Kansas Chiefs’ first-round pick in trade completed in April, and the Bills now have two picks in each of the first three rounds next year.

The additional picks provide Bills new general manager Brandon Beane assets in a draft that looks like it will have several top-end quarterback prospects. Bills starter Tyrod Taylor’s future is uncertain beyond this year.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

QB Tannehill to have surgery, miss season

MIAMI

Ryan Tannehill has decided surgery can no longer be avoided.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback will undergo an operation to repair the torn ACL in his left knee and will miss the entire season, a person familiar with the decision said Friday.

The person confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins hadn’t disclosed it publicly. Tannehill will be placed on injured reserve, the person said.

Tannehill, who missed the final four games of last season with two sprained ligaments in his knee, reinjured it a week into training camp on Aug. 3. The Dolphins consulted with specialists before the team and Tannehill decided surgery was the best option.

It also appears rookie linebacker Raekwon McMillan will miss the entire season with a torn ACL in his right knee, a person familiar with the situation said Friday.

The person confirmed the diagnosis to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins had not disclosed the severity of the injury. McMillan was the front-runner to win the starting job at middle linebacker until he was hurt covering a punt early in Thursday’s exhibition opener against Atlanta.

McMillan was taken in the second round with the 54th overall pick in the April draft after making 275 tackles in three seasons at Ohio State.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Videos of disputed hits submitted to NFL

GREEN BAY, WIS.

The Packers have submitted videos to the NFL of hits by Eagles players that knocked out Green Bay’s Malachi Dupre and Damarious Randall on separate plays.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday he expected the league to evaluate the hits from Thursday’s preseason game from the perspective of player safety. When asked to clarify, McCarthy said, “If I turned them into the league, I don’t think they’re legal hits.”

Dupre, a rookie receiver, was carted off on a stretcher in the fourth quarter following a hit by rookie safety Tre Sullivan. Dupre was evaluated at a hospital and returned to Lambeau Field on Friday.

Randall was hurt after receiver Bryce Treggs hit the cornerback high while throwing a blind-side block. McCarthy said Dupre and Randall were in the concussion protocol.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

QB Flacco will return to practice soon

OWINGS MILLS, MD.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will soon return to practice, but he won’t play in a game before Baltimore opens the regular season on Sept. 10 at Cincinnati.

The Ravens announced Friday that Flacco’s progress from a back injury is “good,” and that he will begin practicing in the preseason. The 10-year pro has not taken a snap at training camp.

Meanwhile, the Ravens say offensive lineman Alex Lewis will miss the 2017 season with a shoulder injury. He will undergo surgery next week.

PRESEASON GAME

Bengals pull away to beat Buccaneers

CINCINNATI

Ryan Fitzpatrick made a good initial impression with Tampa Bay, completing his first series with a 6-yard touchdown run, before the Cincinnati Bengals pulled away to a 23-12 victory over the Buccaneers on Friday night.

The 34-year-old quarterback signed a one-year deal for a chance to back up Jameis Winston. Fitzpatrick had mixed results after his TD, going 6 of 13 overall with an interception. He also scrambled twice for 15 yards. Fitzpatrick lost the ball while trying to throw, but recovered his fumble.

Tampa Bay opened the game with a 14-play, 92-yard drive, but had to settle for a field goal after Adam “Pacman” Jones broke up a pair of Winston’s passes in the end zone. Jones is suspended by the NFL for the season opener because of his offseason arrest.

Associated Press