METRO digest

Browns’ Jackson will take plunge

CLEVELAND

His team already sunk, Browns coach Hue Jackson is taking the plunge.

Jackson said Wednesday he’ll make good on his promise to jump in Lake Erie because of his team’s horrible record. After the Browns went 1-15 last season, Jackson vowed that if Cleveland was ever that bad again he would swim in the lake.

Well, the Browns are 0-15 heading into Sunday’s finale at Pittsburgh.

Time for a dip.

Jackson hasn’t sent a date for his splashdown, and said he would make it at his “convenience” — code for in warmer weather.

Jack Van Berg, 81; trained Alysheba

Jack Van Berg, a Hall of Fame trainer who oversaw Alysheba to victories in the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, died Wednesday. He was 81.

He died in a Little Rock, Arkansas, hospital, according to a spokeswoman for Oaklawn Park, where Van Berg had relocated his training base after leaving Southern California in 2013. No cause was given.

Van Berg ranks fourth all-time among trainers in North America, with 6,523 victories from 41,164 starts, according to Equibase. He had career purse earnings of $85,925,482.

Giants suspend Apple for season finale

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

A day after Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins referred to him as a cancer, cornerback Eli Apple has been suspended by the New York Giants for the season finale against the Washington Redskins.

The Giants announced the suspension late Wednesday afternoon after Apple had participated in the practice. Interim general manager Kevin Abrams and interim coach Steve Spagnuolo informed him of the suspension.

Abrams says Apple was suspended for a “pattern of behavior that is conduct detrimental to the team.”

Collins never referred to Apple, the Giants’ first-round draft pick in 2016, by name in a radio interview on Tuesday. However, he said only one cornerback on the team needed to grow up and later added, “But that first pick ... he’s a cancer.”

Collins apologized for the comments on Wednesday. He and Apple met separately with Spagnuolo and then all three talked.

Illinois fires offensive coordinator, DB coach

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.

Illinois has fired offensive coordinator Garrick McGee and defensive backs coach Paul Williams.

McGee was brought in shortly after Lovie Smith was hired as head coach. He spent two seasons with the program but was never able to establish a formidable offense. In the 2016 campaign, the team averaged just 19.7 points and 315.1 yards per game, finishing 2-10 and 0-9 in the Big Ten.

Illinois started three different quarterbacks who combined for only eight passing touchdowns and 19 interceptions. The team ended the season last in conference with just 21 total offensive touchdowns.

Williams also spent two seasons with Smith. The Illini gave up 20 passing touchdowns during the 2017 season, second most in the Big Ten.

Rookie QB Mahomes to start for Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, MO.

First-round draft pick Patrick Mahomes II will make his NFL debut at quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs when they play an otherwise meaningless game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that the former Texas Tech star would start in Denver.

The Chiefs locked up the AFC West with a 29-13 victory over the Dolphins last weekend, and cannot improve their playoff positioning against the Broncos. So, it makes sense for starting quarterback Alex Smith and many of the other regulars to get a week off before the playoffs.

Staff/wire report