The NFLPA has issued the following statement on Giants kicker Josh Brown, who was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list today following more revelations about his purported domestic abuse: “The NFL has the ability to place a player on the exempt list and the player has the right to appeal that decision, if he chooses. The League office wanted unilateral control of this process and accordingly, their system lacks transparency.” Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Facebook link) also obtained a copy of the letter the league sent Brown today informing him that he has been placed on the exempt list.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Conflicting reports emerged earlier this year as to whether Bills general manager Doug Whaley and head coach Rex Ryan faced playoffs-or-bust ultimatums — but team owner Terry Pegula says the rumors were unfounded. “No. We just hired the guys!” Pegula told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “Doug’s a new GM basically (promoted in May 2013). And we just hired Rex. We’re talking about continuity, and the players need that.” The Bills are now 4-2 and back in the thick of the playoff race after winning four straight.
- Offensive lineman Gabe Ikard was cut earlier today to make room for the return of Shaq Lawson, but the Bills plan to re-sign next week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Ikard, a two-year NFL veteran, hasn’t played an offensive role for Buffalo this season, as he’s seen zero snaps. But he had managed to see the field for 11 special teams plays.
- The Jets brought defensive end/outside linebacker Sadat Sulleyman in for a workout, Wilson tweets. Sulleyman, 23, is a UDFA out of Portland State who didn’t make Denver’s initial 53-man roster. He’s also tried out for the Bengals and Chiefs this season.