NFL roundup
BUFFALO BILLS
Tyrod Taylor benched in favor of rookie QB
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.
Tyrod Taylor has been benched and the Buffalo Bills are going with rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman to start against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Coach Sean McDermott made the announcement Wednesday at a news conference.
Though McDermott says he remains confident in Taylor, he decided to make the move to see if Peterman can make Buffalo a better team.
That’s a significant change of heart for McDermott, who maintained Taylor was the team’s starter following a 47-10 loss to New Orleans last weekend and again on Monday.
The decision comes after Taylor struggled against the Saints, going 9 of 15 for 56 yards and an interception.
Peterman took over and went 7 of 19 for 79 yards and a touchdown over the final two drives.
Peterman was selected in the fifth round of the draft after splitting his college career at Pittsburgh and Tennessee.
Buffalo (5-4) has lost two straight.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Feud grows between league, Jerry Jones
NEW YORK
The Associated Press has obtained a letter sent by the NFL to Jerry Jones’ attorney accusing the Dallas Cowboys owner of “conduct detrimental to the league’s best interests” over his objection to a contract extension for Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The letter accusing Jones of sabotaging the negotiations was sent to David Boies on Wednesday. Jones hired Boies and threatened to sue the NFL if Goodell’s contract extension was approved by the compensation committee, made up of six owners. All 32 owners voted unanimously in May to let the committee finalize a deal with Goodell.
The letter, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, was written by outside counsel for the compensation committee and given to the AP by a person who requested anonymity because it was not intended to be made public.
It’s the latest escalation of a feud between the NFL and one of its most powerful owners. Jones has denied that his objections to the extension are tied to Goodell’s decision to suspend star running back Ezekiel Elliott for six games over alleged domestic violence.
Elliott abandoned his legal fight over the suspension Wednesday. He has five games left to serve.
“Your client’s antics, whatever their motivation, are damaging the league and reflect conduct detrimental to the league’s best interests,” the letter said.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Lynn optimistic about QB Rivers’ availability
COSTA MESA, CALIF.
Philip Rivers is practicing with the Los Angeles Chargers, and coach Anthony Lynn is optimistic that the veteran quarterback will play Sunday against Buffalo.
Rivers reported symptoms of a possible concussion Monday, but he participated in certain parts of a non-padded practice Wednesday.
Rivers was hurt during an overtime loss in Jacksonville for Los Angeles (3-6). He has started 194 consecutive games for the Chargers since 2006, racking up the fourth-longest streak of consecutive starts by a quarterback in NFL history.
If Rivers can’t play, Kellen Clemens is expected to make his first NFL start since 2013. Clemens has thrown only 10 passes in the last 31/2 years, but the veteran says he would be comfortable starting if needed.
Associated Press